New-York tribune., 1878-10-16
THE PORTER INVESTIGATION

TESTIMONY OF GENERAL sIGEL-WHAT SCOUT
OVERHEARD GENERAL PORTER SAY.
There was a full attendance at the Porter
inyestigatlon, on Governors Island yesterday. The
testimony is nearly all in now, and the Board
OF Inquiry will visit the battlefield In
Virginia. Major-General Franz sigel was the first
witness examined. On August %, 1862, he was
at the House, and under orders 90 attack
the enemy vigorously. The formal attack was made
absut O'Clock in the morning. lie sent General
Schenk's division TO the right, but that of-
Ger was prevented from crossing over to
the right side OF the warTenton pike owing
to the strength OF the enemy's osion. scheDk was
forced to retire, being short OF ammunition. General
Pope came on the ground about p. m, during
lull in the fghting. Assaults were made the
enemy by HoOker's brigade between 2:30 aud $3.50
p, M; by ReynOdsabOut p. M, by Kearney about D.
m and by King about p. General scnenk, who
had about $500 uen, reached his mOst advanced posi-
ton about D. The total losses that day IN the wit
ness's corps were abOut 1,4O0 men.
MaiorGeneral Joseph Hooker testified that his division
went into action in the vicinity of GrovetOn about p.
m He was directed TO drive the enemy out Of the
woods IN front, and before doing so he called
Knoll back Of the woods which. If not taken, would
easily force him back General Pope promised to send
quently Hooker had retreat in about twenty MN
utes. with a loss OF 1,20o men He made the attack
about two hours after seeing General Pope.
Captain j. J. Carpenter the 23d IDiantry, who was
in PSfter's corps testified that when near Dawkin's
Branch two shots were fired at them. and they were
Immediately halted and marched 20 the rear. Owing TO
a wound received, his memory was defective.
CAPTAIN Robert McEldOwney, OF NeW-MartlnsVllle,
West Va, was I'm StOuewali JacksOn's brigade on
August 29 1862. He was at different points
on Jackson's line that day, but did not see
ANYTHING OF LOngstreets forces. Jacksons army
was in an exhausted condition. and owing 70 the spas
kept very busy. He was under the impression
that Jaekson's lines were broken through near the
Sudey Sprngoad and that the Federal forces got pos
session OF par OF the railroad track. He ca not
think that JaeksOn's position could nave been easily
taken He did not see anything except artillery IN the
direction OF Thoruughare Gap that day. but he did see
dust indicating troops marching.
Basil L. Bowers, OF heW-Martlnsyilie, W. Va, was
acting SecOndLeutenant Ia Captain Aaron q.
JohnsOn's Artlery Brigade, under Porter Whlle
absent from his company, without his uni
form, he strayed into Porters lines was taken
prisoner and accused Of being spy. during
heard General Porter remark, TO nis staff the witness
thought that General Pope would pass through the line
soon, aud he did not want any notice tsken
of him by his men. Three officers 1oubh
out the tent and after General Pope passed along
with large escort but he was apparently unDotlced
by Portef's men. Under cTOss-e1amnauOn the whhess
ack know edged having been IN different companies,
from which be had resigned, and tbat he bGd Deen
confined In Camp Chase for several weeks as reDeI
spy but WAS released. He SAID he acted as
Union scout, aud had been under arrest ON
CapJain William A Graham. OF the First ARTILLERY. U. 3
that troops halted because unable TO hEd taeH