New-York tribune., 1878-07-13
SETERAL WITNESSES FOR PORTER.

A RETREAT DENIED-THE FAILURE TO MARCH AT
4. n. ATTRIBUTED TO THE DARKNESS.
WEST PoINT, n. Y, July 12.-At the open
ing Of the Porter hearing this morning BrigaderGenc
raj NJ r. Patrick who commanded brigade in Kings
Division Fifth Army Corps, called TO the stand.
His testimony showed that previous TO and about dark
on the Goth, there seemed to De considerable
confusion among the Union troops in the vi
clnity OF Warrenton Pike. His brigade Joined
Porter's Corps the morning ON the march from
Manassas to Gainesville and passed to point beyond
Bethlehem Church, but he was afterwaYd ordered to
march 90 the Sudley Springs road. Then he received
order after order. sometimes by Mcdowell by one
OF Popes staff officers. then again by Mcdowell, TIL
ABOUT dark when his brigade got mixed up with rebel
soldiers near GrOVeton Relating 10 Porter's battle
the 3Oth he said it was the hardest fighting he
saw.
On HIS crossexnmnation General Patrick stated that
on the 3Oth ne reported Pope and Mcdowell that
column OF troops had fallen back 20 Gainesville from the
woods but that large number Of rebels still remained
IN the woods From this no SAID, Pope and Mcdowell
strongly inferred that the enemy the retreat,
while he thought otherwise To General Sehoaed wit
ness stated that he heard heavy musketry firing
the 29th till near evening" when Kings Division and the
Harris Light Cavalry made an attack and he also said
darkness came quick that night.
This evidence, with previous testimony, signih-
can't because It eoncted seriously with POpe's dispatch
HAlleCk the morning OF ana
with the evidence Of previous witnesses.
Fisher A. Baker, lawyer of New-York who was Ad-
infant OF the 18th Massachusetts, attached to the First
Brigade of Morelps Division 1862, testified that the
march from WarrentOn Junction to Bristol on the 27th
was as rapid as possible The order to march given
at a. m and he considered that they marched just
far starting at that hour as II they had started at
a. m for It the darkest night he ever in his
three years experience In the army TINS was put In 70
show that although Porter didn't obey Popes order TO
1 n lie lust by starting his troops
at daylight lie would have got n ne had opeyed
tne order, the extreme darkness having induced
him 10 delay. He testified that his brigade was
in line OF battle all the afternoon OF the 18th, and
only sEirmishing aud artillery firing; he saw Porter
once twice that afternoons the enemy was III fr0n OF
them In force and there was no rereang or falling back
The Witness described the fighting by Porers Corps
on the 3Oth ana said he Porter at the front and he
was acting as vigorously he coud doing all he could
do OF all the battles OF the war which witness expe
reneed, including Gettysburg fredericksburg, Antie
fam etc that was the hottest In twenty minutes out
OF $50 men In his regiment, he lost 140
charges that Porter and his corps would not fight.
General r. q. Buchanan, Colonel and Brevet-General
in the army, retired, and who was in command OF the
First Brigade, Regular Infantry,i in Sykes's Dvis-
on Fifth Corps, testified that the order TO march at
o'clock a. M IRON Warrenton Junction TO Brisol was
changed 10 because OF the excessive darkness,
the report being that an orderly had 70 get down on ns
hands and knees TO find the road He did not think the
march could have been made at a. m because OF the
nature OF e win ts u m soe TS was nsher
aud stacking OF arms, bat at the same time always in
line OF Dattle. he heafu no nrlnS TO his
right that day indicating battle, and was
much surprised next day 10 hear that
I had been reported When nsked again II there
anything in the OF retreat that day, witness
Piled viii not only say there nome but the
very idea is absurd, there cause for one"
The witness when asked what P0rter's conduct
the 3Oth, replied follows His conduct that OF
perfectly COOL collected man. very anxious 20 achieve
In what about, and showinga great deal
OF excellent Judgment and military skill Throughout the
day. At other times his conduct always that of
Jealous officer thoroughly loyal 10 his and anxious
TO make it successful In every possible manner In crit
ical emergencies under re, never him excited at
any time. He perfectly cool on all occasions
had opportunity TO meet him."
General GibbOn expected to-day, but did not ar
rive when that fact announced the hearing
adjourned till Tuesday next at 10 q. N.