River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-03-25
FITz JOHN PORTER.

The longest debate that has thus far
occurred in the United States Senate
during the present session was on the
bill TO restore General Fitz John Port
er to his place in the army, from
which he was Yeas ago dishOnol ably
dismissed, and award him $50, 900 back
pay. AS he was cashiered upon a
charge that amounted to that of trea-
son to the cause he had sworn to SUP
port the Democrats in the Senate have
naturally espoused his cause. Porter,
while in command of Union troops, is
known to have clandeStinely met reb-
ell officers for conference which fact
in connection with his subsequent
movements as Il military commander
gives color TO the suspicion that he
was a traitor to his country and pur-
posely sacrificed the lives of thous-
ands of brave boys in blue to aid the
enemy. Commenting upon this case
one Clarkson ID. Ayers, a member OF
the 18th New York Volunteers writes
rs follows:
81 want to ask Fitz John Porter if
he remembers the second battle OF
Bull Run, how caught him only the
night previous in conversation with
three rebel generals, one of whom was
Robert Z. Lee. 1t was about Ii o'clock
and us [ came upon Linn suddenly, he
asked me what | WAS Going out at that
time of the night, and told me, as L
valued my life, to say nothing about
seeing him out there. Now he asks
to be reinstated as a loyal man. | saw
Fitz John Porter with my own eyes
talking with some rebels on the eve
of the battle, and ask that justice he
done to the soldiers who did the fight
ing and laid down their lives in de-
Tense of their country. Fltz john
Porter deserves no place in this nation
only as an outcast and vagabond. MI.
Porter where was your corps at the
second Bull Run battle! Could you
give any definite ;mswerl No, YOU
we've too guilty. How can you, fitz
John Porter, come before Congress
and ask To be placed before the nation
as a loydl man, when the voices of
, 900 or more of the Fifth Army Corps
are CRYING from that battle-ground for
vengence! Yes, Mr.. Porter, you are
accursed from this nIti0n. A person
who will sell his own army corps OF
!. 900 men to the enemy as you did
should be sent to the Dry TOrtugas.
The Richland Center Observer copies
the extract we have quoted and says:
The above reminds us of what we
heard ut the Lincoln hospital, in
Washington, in the spring OF 1853 just
before the battle of Chancellorvllle.
While visiting wounded and SICK
brother at the above named hospital,
we were informed by him that while
on picket one morning 1.-THE place we
have forgottenI Gen. Porter appeared
at the picket lines and passed through.
After passing through the lines, he
took from his head his regulation hat
and, putting his hand in the breast OF
his coat, pulled out another hat which
he placed on his head. Not more than
\ moment later he saw three rebel of
ficers emerge from grove in his front
and advance to Il large walnut tree.
where they were met by Gen. Porter.
The four officers held short c0nsulta-
ton. when the three rebels rode OF.
and after a few moments Porter passed
back through the lines to headquarters
The fact that re.hearing of this
case was sought upon The testimony Of
rebel officers il sufficient to convince a
loyal people that the punishment Of
Porter has been slight compared with
what he deserved. and they will pro-
test against his restoration to the
proud position Which he forfeited by
his treason. and tie efforts Of Demo-
Gratis in his behalf Is still further evi-
denee ST the determination OF THAT
party to hold treason to the United
Etaees Governments at . premium: