The New York herald., 1878-10-09
GENERAL FITz JOHN PORTER.

GovERSMENT-UNI AND CONFEDERATE
OFFICERS DESCRIBING THE EVENTS THAT
LED TO THE COURT MARTIAL.
When the Board which is reviewing tho case OF
General Fitz John Porter met yesterday morning on
Governer's Island Judge Advocate Asa Bird Gardner
stated that he disappointed by the nonarrisa Of
General Mcdowell, who was to have testified, but
that he would take the the stand Thursday. Many
other witnesses, however, present. and tho tes-
tmony was OF an Interesting character.
Mayor General Wilism Birney. OF Washington, tss-
thed that the morning OF August %, 1862 he was
In command OF the F,fty-sevsnth Pennsylvania, In
Kearny's division, ana marched from their camp,
the Alexandria Rilroad, toward Bristol station.
On the 10Th he set out At aybrsak and between
and ten O'Clock, came In sght oil the enemy He hoard
artillery and musketry firing all day and tho
movements Of troops. Heard Of assaults Bristol
station and smoke along the limo whsre the
troops engaged. The fighting seemed to be So
vere but occurred at only part OF the line al any
one time. The heaviest firing after four O'Clock
In the afternoon.
General Abner Doubleday stated that he was at The
time In question brgadsr general in Of the
Second brigade. HIS was ON the evening OF the
10Th OF August held as reserve between the Chin
House and Sudley. He heard heavy firing. Later he
ordered to reinforce Reynolds and was ordered
by Mcdowell to pursue the enomy and take many
prisoners possible. He lost many men snd would
have lost many more had not the 10 nition OF the
enemy been poor.
George Snorkey, captain OF Fifteenth infantry,
United states Army, said that tho morning OF the
29tn he adjulant Of the Fifty arst Pennsy vana.
That morning he left Manassas aad reached the
enemy about noon. Was Manassas Gap Rail-
in the afternoon and had worry severe CO ntest
with the enemy. Reno's divlsion had a severe fight
IN the evening" Witness believed that the whole OF
his brigade was engaged IN the action
Col0nsi Black lord, now Of Washington, said ne
captain in the Confederate and assignee
the stan Of General j. b. b. Stuart Al daylight on
the 29th was On Jackson's lett. Was sent out 10
connoitrs Ny General stuart, and Union skir
mishers their nrs. Jackson's troops this
tmc were near Inc Douglas House, on the north.
Colonel James X. Douglas, OF hagsrstown, Md, on
the 29th vi August 1852, was acting Sujutant general
ON .stone wali'' Jaeksons stan. The Iorce OF Jack.
consisted Of three divisions. Those Of the right
aud centre were shifted in the morning the line
OF the independent railroad, and force laced
near Grovston, facing Manassas Junction. In the
morning witness heard some artillery hripg, anu q
good deal In the afternoon. as we'll as some infantry
made about Two O'Clock 10 the afternoon against
General A. p. Hilrs DIVISION, and thus followed
by others a. intervals until evening. "Not loss
hall dozen vigorous aashes, Drisl but terrible and
very gallant" The contenaing forces were 50 close
hills loss was heavy enough 10 DO called serious.
Jackson did not send TO Longstreet Tor reinforce
ments on the Gay before these sttacks, ana A. tho
was made by Jackson. General Hili was Nsadly in
want OF ammunition.
Bushrod VI. FroebelL Of Atlanta. Ca, who was a
major OF artillery commanding a battery IN Hoods
division, testified generally 10 me tact that there
hg ghting the 29th.
General s. +. Sturgis, now . cavalry ofHcer In the
army. stated that AZ The time in question he
brigadier general On tho 2eth he commanded Gen-
erai Pyats brigade IN The vicinity Of Bristol Station
He ordered 10 report to General Porter, ana
found him mile and hall beyond the BetnIehsm
Church. orsetion oil Gainesville, after encouu-
terng troops In advance along Inc road. Wnile Ia
presence ot Porter he looked through q glass
piece sf woods about mile from the camp and
what he took Tor The CANT OF thS san on gun He
At informed General Porter. rsmarking that he
position ~ that pl-ce. General Porter thought
he Was mistaken; but n few minutes later
The battery nrsd upon them, proving General
Sturgis to be correct Alter Remaining with Porter
hour and . halt the latter ordered witness 20
back to Manassas with the brigade, as the cannon
acing which had been in progress tho right ed
to be recsdIng In the direction OF Groveton General
Sturgis' recollection that he heard this firing all
the time he The ROAD to Portsrs hsadQuarIars
General Porter. When ordered 10 back Manassas
Junction witness informed Gencral Pyatt anu
moved his force to that place. To Mr. Bullet, oil
pettionef's counsel, General Sturgis tsstasd
subsequently received orders 10 move hts for.
ward 10 Bethlehem Church, and tnsn no went inio
camp. 1t coulo not have been later tnan Two In the
afternoon when received from General Porter the
oruer tall back. While marcning back TO Manassas
no met General Ricketts, troops Advancing, and ho
thought nj time that was curious he should be
going back.
The Board will meet to-day 81 ton A. NJ, and II is
expected that its labers Will be brought TO close
next week.