Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-01-06
OLD TINES WHIRLIGIG.
JUSTICE FOR FITZ- JOHN PORTER
Grant COnfesses that He Did Him
Great Wrong - ArihuF's Good
Offices SOl1cIIed-A Manly Letter
from General Terry.

WASHINGTON, January 5.-Senator Sewell,
of New Jersey, has laid before President
Arthur a letter from Fitz-John Porter to
himself calling attention to his appeal for
vindication and asking the good offices of
Senator Sewell in the matter. With Por-
ter's letter is one from General Grant to the
President, in which Grant says he has re-
Gently read carefully the testimony in Por-
ter's courts of inquiry, and has given the
matter much thought and careful considera-
tion, and as q result has become convinced
that he has for nineteen years been doing
injustice to a gallsnt and efficient soldier,
and now feels it incumbent upon him to do
all in his power to repair this injustice.
Grant feels this the more strongly be-
cause, he says, during the time he was Gen
eral Of the army it lay In his power to pro
cure for Porter q hearing, which he only
Obtainen at later period; and while Presi-
dent it was at any time in his power to have
ordered such a hearing Grant then goes
on to say: TN justification for my injustice
TO Gen. Porter | can only state that shortly
after the war closed his defense was brought
to my attention, but read il in connection
with the sketch filed when his offense
was said to have been committed,
which l now see, since perfect
maps have been made by the Engineers
Department Of the whole field, was totally
incorrect as showing the position Of the two
armies. l have read 1t In connection with
the statements on the other side against
Porter, and l am afraid that, possibly, with
some little prejudice in the case, although
General Porter was a man whom |
personally knew, and knew and liked
before. But 1 got the impression, with
many others, that there was half-hearted
support Of General Pope in his campaign,
and that General Porter, while possibly not
more guilty than others, happened to be
placed in a position where he would be
made responsible for his indifference, and
that his punishment was not severe Que
for such an offense. am now convinced
that he rendered faithful, efficient and In
telligent service. The fact that he was
retained in his corps for a month after his
otfenses were said to have been committed
is in his favor.
"What would ask in Gen. Porters behalf
from you is that, II you can possibly give
the time, that you give the subject the same
study and thought that l have given it, and
then act as your judgment may dictate. But
feeling that you will not have the time for
such an investigation (for ii would take
several days, would ask that the whole
matter be laid before the Attorney General
for his examination and opinion. Hoping
that you will be able to do this much for an
officer who has suffered for nineteen years a
punishment that never should be inflicted
upon any but the most guilty, I am very
truly yours, U. s. GRANT"
Among the papers submitted is a letter
from General Terry, who was a member of
the Schofeld Board of Inquiry, in reply to
one from Porter, conveying thanks for his
action as member OF that board, In which
Terry says:
81 wish now to say that it is not thanks
but pardon which l should ask from you.
For years did you wrong in thought, and
sometimes wrong in speech. 1t is true that
this was through ignorance, but had no
right to be so ignorant. might have learned
something at least Of the truth had dill
gently sought it. II you find anything in
my action as a member of the board which
you can accept as an atonement for the
wrong which l did you l shall be more
than gratified.
"With great respect and admiration, am
yours most sincerely,
'ALFRED H. TERRY, Major General"