Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-29
To the Editor of the Chicago Tribune.


written by Gen. U. S. Grant, in justifca-
ton of the conduct of Fitz John Porter in
disobeying the orders of his commanding
general on the 9th, 2Sth, and 18th of Au-
gust, 1862.
dislike very much to enter into any
discussion with Gen. Grant on matters per-
tanning to military movements, as 1 must
do SO knowing am contesting ground
with man Of great military renown But,
inasmuch as Gen. Grant has so recently
| changed his opinion en- this subject, after
| having the case before him when general
of the army, and curing eight years while
president of the United States, based upon
Porter's own statement of the case, and af-
ter careful examination of the case con-
cluded that he was guilty, and having
| more than once expressed his then opinion
upon my mind, which very strongly con-
| frmed ms ia my own conclusions OF Por-
ter's guilt, therefore take it that the gen
erals generosity will be sufficient to par
| don me if 1 shall now differ with him and
trust my own Judgment in the case, instead
of accepting his present conclusions-es-
| pecially when I feel confident thatL can
clearly demonstrate that his present opin-
ions are based upon misrepresentation of
| the facts as they did exist and were under
| stood by those understanding them at the
| time.
But that there may be proper under
| standing of the question in dispute, it may
be necessary to understand something in
| reference to the positions occupied by
the opposing forces.
Gen. Pore, being in command of the
army OF Virgin a, had withdrawn from his
former line OF operations, and had began
| his mos ements against jackson on the
| evening of the day on which he sent the
| first order to Fitz John Porter.
Gen. Rockers division of Heintzelman'
corps having moved along the railroad
from Warrenton Junction towards Man
assas junction, meeting Ewelrs division
| of Jackson's force at Bristoe Station in the
evening a sharp engagement
ensued, in which Hooker drove
Ewell in the direction of Manassas juno.
| ton.
| b.
| Gen. Pope's headquarters were with this
division. In his rear, at Warrenton
Junction, was Porter's command (the Fifth
army corps). Anticipating an attack from
the confederate forces on the morning OF
the 2Sth, :Hooker's command being about
out of ammunition at the time and in orde,
that he might be prepared for this attack
aud also that he might have his troops
up and we'll in hand--inasmuch as he de-
sired to send portion of his forces in the
| direction of Gainesville and on to Thor
oughfare Gap, so as 10 impede the ad-
| vance of LOngstreet who was then marcel
ing rapidly to join Jackson-Pope issued
the following imperative order to Gen. Por-
ter at $50 p. M, and sent the same by
Capt. Drake De Kay, one of his (Pope's)
staff officers.
| The order is in the following language
| HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, BR1s.
TOE STATION, Aug. 81, 1862-6:3O p. NJ
GENERAL: The ma or general command.
ing directs that you start at 1 o'clock to-
night, and come forward with your whole
corps, or such part of it as is with you so as
to be here by daylight tomorrow morning.
Hooker has had very severe action with
the enemy, with loss of about 300 killed
and wounded. The enemy has been driven
back, but is retiring along the railroad.
We must drive him from Manassas and
clear the country between that place and
Gainesville, where Mcdowell is. IfMorelI
has not joined you, send word to him to
push forward Immediately; also send word
to Banks to hurry forward with all speed
to take your place at Warrenton juno
ton. 1t is necessary, on all accounts, that
you should be here by daylight. I send an
officer with this dispatch, who will conduct
You to the place. Be sure to send word to
Banks, who is on the road from Fayetville.
probably in the direction of Bealeton. Saw
to Banks, also, that he had best run back
the railroad trains to this side of Cedar
Run. If he is not with you, write him to
that effect.
| By command of Maj. Gen. Pope.
| GEORGE u. RUGG1Es,
| Colonel and Chief of staff.
Maj. Gen. F. j. Porter, Warrenton
Junction.
| z. S.-If Banks is not at Warrenton
Junction, leaves regiment of infantry
| and two pieces of artillery as guard till
| he comes up, with instructions to follow
you Immediately. If Banks is not at the
junction, instruct Col. Cleary to run the
| trains back to this side of Cedar Run. and
post a regiment and section of artillery
with it.
By command of Maj. Gen. Pope.
GEORsE D. RUGGLEs,
Colonel and Chief of staff.
When this order4was delivered Cant.
Drake DE Kay was instructed to remain
with Porter and direct him on the road to
| Bristoe Station, distance of about nine
| miles.
This order was delivered to Gen. Porter
(as Capt Drake De Kay testiHes) at about
$50 p. m.
Gen. Porter decided not to move at
| O'Clock, as directed, but at 8 o'clock on
the morning of the 2Sth, but in fact did
not move from his tent, as the evidence
shows, or move his troops, until after sun
rise on the morning of the 18th.
Gen. Grant justifes Porter in the DISC
bedience of this order, because, he says,
Porter's troops had been marching that
day, were fatiRued, the night was dark, the
road was blockaded, and that he showed
his order to the leading generals, and be-
cause they said his troops were tired he
II IL ~A