The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-18
GENERAL PORTER'S CASE.

TIMoNY ON BEHALF or THE PETITIONER
PRESIDENT LINcoLN's ACTION IN THE CASE
SOME STRONG POINTS MADE IN FAVOR OF
PORTER.
WEST PoNT, n. Y, July IL, 1873
This was an important day Of the Fnz John Porter
case.
Ex-Governor Newell OF New Jersey, was the first
wiiness He was Governor from 1856 TO 1860 lie
testified that he had personal interview with Pres-
dent Lincoln at the suggestion vi Governor Randolph
and others, regarding General Porter's case, and
was proceeding to testify further when the Re-
corder OF tho Board Interrupted by asking what
the purport OF the evidence TO DO given was. Mr..
Choatc of counsel 10. General Porter, stated that
his decision Mr. Lincoln said that ho aid not rely
upon evidence before the cour-martia, but upon
the review as presented by the Judge Advocate Gen
eral 1he Recorder replied in argument when the
members Of tae Board held u cons unaton and de-
cdcd tho evidence admissible on the ground that
II will give the present President an opportunity TO
thoroughly understand tho approval Of tho previous
President
Witness (continung) said that President Lincoln
said To HIM that he had not boon able TO give tho
personal attention " General Porer's winch Its
merits required but had accepted the opinion Of
Judge Advocate n olt aud that he meant TO offer MIN
chance TO put in nov evidence, The President iur-
Their added that he bad high regard Tor General
Porter as gentleman aud soldier and hoped he
he ablo vindicie himself in that way. Wtness
q member OF Congress At tho time OF tho inter
GENERAL PorE's AIDE REcAILkD
Major George u Ragglcs, oi Pops's stan was tho
4:3O order, and that the date was put Il before
Pope dictated u; he then had ~ WHO II out, make
copies Up, direct II and detail aide camps
ordsrly 10 carry 81.
ropes address. on taking mmand OF the army,
read. TO reiutc the charge that Porter had used
disrespcctul language about Pope, counsel
that the disrespectful lang referred
quotations IRON Popcs address.
In rc.aion TO tho condition OF the road from War
In ON n ~
Porter received Popc's order 10 march NJ O'Clock
the morning, witness said it was Impossible 10 do
SO the road was blocked with stunps Of trees and
sapplpgs and runs, ana the night was very dark
be himself lost his way while LOOKING Tor MS own
wagon. HIS further testimony indicsted that
Porter could get plan or tho campaign from Pope
he latter beng very retccnt reserved and uncom-
municativo ono time In particular he left Pope ser-
Gus ard de pohdent, ana ma detected manner Yops
said TO witness, on the retreat from The Rapidan
Don't you think Porter will fa mcy'' rhs ied ike
n ia un dcrcap upon Witness Tor he bad known PoT
tor years. anu never know him ts iaiL As bear
upon some missing dispatches IRON Porter to Pope,
which the latter has said not IN MS possession,
the witness testified thut dispatches from corps CON-
manders werc all preserved and tho time when re-
cs,vsa indicated envelope, when back
as receipt As 10 tho alleged battle on the 29Lh he
testified that there some infantry hghtiug; he
Porter aud ms corps on the 30tn the former was
cool and alert and doing his wDoic duty The dcspatcn
10 Haleck on the 30n read aud identhcd by tho
Witness It's admission was objected 10 by the Re-
douee showing tho neavy h.htinS u tho Filth corps
that day Witness testified thai no suggested to Pope
nj Tie limo tbht no tnouRnt ~ 10 y,
ave have lost nothing, neiber guns nor wagonsf
TESTIMONY ny MEMBERS or rokrKR's srAPR
Frederick Locke, PorJer's Assistant Aoyutant Cen
oral ana Chei Of Stsn testified In corrobors.ion
tue darkness Of the night OF the 9th. He said II
pitch dark he could not see his hand boiore his face
He testified that within i've minutes nftcr Goers al
Porter received the 430 order witness took H. and
| gong TO General Morrcll, ordered him into action
at once, adding, General Porter viii BE- up immeai-
atcly ~ ut tnis time ~ nearly dark. II had boon
charged that General Porter received tho order
| down, 10 careless manner, nc. Witness testified
alek nj I'm plt Inn
sit ana suffering from dyscntsry yet no was IN the
| saddle great deal that day
| George Montoitb, Of Cincinnati, was captain and
aid on General Porters stan Hsstrongy cofroboSated
other Ia relation TO the bad condition OF The
road from Warrenon to brstow, on the night OF the
2Ttb, by mnateIy detailing INC serious obslructions
and closely describing the intense darkness oil the
night All OF hts testimony was corroDorative Of pro
| vious testimony OF Por,or's stan
Here tho petit rested DIS case, with the provso
that he will have tue right 10 call tour otnsr
who are nov prevented from coming by illness.
| MISSING coxpHDKnATR scours
Mr. Maitby, OF counsci ior General Porter, said:"
should IKE also 10 state. 30 That u may all thu