Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-08-21
Fitz John Porter.


ter, who, by the findings of n military
commission, was made the victim of
Pope's blunders in the Valley of Vir.
ginia, in 1862, is again attracting con-
siderable newspaper notice and com
ment. In the first days of the war
General Porter was regarded as one
of the ablest military officers in the
service of the government. He stood
deservedly high in the old regular
army, and was made colonel Of one
of the new regiments Of regulars au-
thorized by act of Congress. lie was
also made a general of volunteers and
soon rose 10 the command Of one of
the corps Of the Army of the Potomac,
with the rank Of major-gcneral. At
the head Of a gallant corps, Fitz John
Porter was an active, brilliant and
conspicuous figure in the operations of
Mcclellan in front Of Richmond. At
Mechanicsville he bore the brunt Of
Lees first assaults upon the right
of the Union army. On this occa-
sion he displayed high qualities
of geperalship in the handling and
disposition Of his troops, and easily
repulscd every attack made upon him.
To meet the combined forces Of Ice
and Jackson it was necessary to with
draw to n new position. This was sue.
ccssfully done in the face of the enemy,
and near Gaines' Mill, on the day fol.
lowing the Confederate repulse at Me
chanicsville occurred one of the blood.
lest battles Of the war. For hours
that were precious to Mcclellan, Por.
ter held an exposed and dangerous
position on the northern side Of the
Chickahominy, with n stubborn tcna.
city Of purpose that could not be ex-
cclled, and it was only TO the united
attack Of lee and Jackson that he was
compelled to yield-in other words, TO
the force Of overpowering numbers.
But much valuable time had been
gained, so that when night came, and
the long day spent in fierce and bloody
resistance TO the terrific onslaughts Of
the enemy had insured the safety of
the movement for new base on the
james river, Porter withdrew his shat
tered command TO the south side Of
the stream and followed the march of
the army
From this point in the career of
this gallant and accomplished soldier,
you may follow him until he falls
under the malicious persecution of
another, and in every scene Of action
in which he appears his conduct shines
with a splendor which is scarcely
eclipsed by that Of any other officer
in the army at that period Of the war
But scapegoat must be had for the
disasters that followed the blunders of
Pope and his incapacity to command
an army. Fitz John Porter is select
ed as the victim. Tried by y preju.
diced court-martial, formed to convict.
he is sent forth with brand Of in
fanny and disgrace upon his brow TO
receive the scorn and contempt Of his
fellow countrymen. For seventeen
years he submitted patiently to the
terrible wrongs that were heaped upon
him, though never failing to protest
against them and appeal for justice
At last the hour Of vindication comes.
A re-hearing is ordered, and after a
patient and exhaustive re.examination
of the entire case, the truth appears
like the light of day, and the awful
mistake committed by the court that
found Porter guilty of the charges
made against him by Pope becomes
apparent to every unprejudiced mind.
The board that re-examined the case
was composed of army officers Of the
highest character and standing. Bet.
ter men cannot be found in any sphere
Of life. Their ability and judgment
as soldiers cannot be questioned, and
their integrity as men cannot be as
sailed. Their findings in the case are
conclusive and have been accepted rs
correct by the intelligent opinion Of