Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-06
+. J. PORTER.
New YoRK. December 8. 1881.

NEW ORH, december IS 1881.
To tie President, Washington, d. C.:
SRI respectfully represent that IN
January, 1865, by court martial, / was most
unjustly declared guilty of charges against
me, and sentenced "tO be cashiered aud
forever disqualified from holding any office
of trust or profit under the United States.
From the PRONUNCIATION OF the verdict oil
that court, have protested my innocence
of all wrong done, and asserted the injus-
tice of the sentence, and presenting Sus-
tanning evidence, have, from time 10 time,
urged a hearing. In 1873, the President
in order to be fully informed Of the facts
and to be enabled to act advlsedly upon
my application for relief, appointed q
board OF army officers TO examine into the
merits of the case, and report what action,
if any, in their opinion, justice required
should he taken on my application. That
board aftera thorough examination into
the facts Of the case, vindicated me i'll every
respect, and reported that in their opinion
Justice required at the hands of the Presi-
dent such action as may be necessary TO
annul and set aside the findings and SEN
tencc of the Court-martial, and restore me
TO the position of which that sentence de-
prived me, such restoration to take effect
from the date Of dismissal from
the service. and / now respectfully
and urgently represent that
the sentence is continuing sentence, and
so long as il exists is within reach and
under the control of the executive power.
That harsh and burdensomc originally,
and lasting through many years, ii is q far
stronger reason the subject for considera-
ton and action by the executive, now that
il is proved to have been founded in error
and TO be unjust, and / respectfully ask
YOU If convinced of the business Of the
recommendation of the advisory board, TO
annul and set aside the findings and SEN
tence of the court martial, and nominate
me to the Senate for restoration TO my
rank in the army, the act of Congress of
1868, allowing that mode OF redress of
wrong committed by court martial and
this ] ask, not merely in justice
to me and those most dear TO me, but in
Justice TO the army TO which belonged,
and which has ever believed in me, and to
the government which hOnsred and trusted
me. Very respectfully yours,
[Signedl FITz JoHN PORTER.
NEW York, December -, 81.
To tie President, Washington, d. c.:
DEAI SIR:-At the request Of General
Fitz John Porter, have recently reviewed
his trial and the testimony furnished be-
fore the Schofeld Court Of Inquiry held in
1879, giving to the subject three full days
OF careful reading and consideration, and
much thought in the intervening time.
The reading Of the whole Of this record
has thoroughly convinced me that for these
nineteen years have been doing a gallant
and efficient soldier very eatinjustiCc, in
thought. and some times in speech.
feel il incumbent upon me TO uo what
ever lies in my power to remove from him
and his family, the stain upon his name.
feel this more incumbent upon me than
should If had been corps commander
only. or occupying any other command in
the army than the one which ] did; but as
General, had it possibly in my power to
have obtained for him a hearing which he
only got at later day; and as President,
certainly had power to have ordered that
hearing.
In justification for my injustice 10 Gen.
Porter. | can only state that shortly after
the war closed his defence was brought 10
nv attention, but | read IL in connection
with a sketch of the field where his offences
were said TO have been committed, which
] now see, since perfect map has been
made by the Engineers Department of the
whole field, were totally incorrect, as show
ing the position Of the two armies.
| have read il in connection with the
statements made on the other side, againts
General Porter, and am afraid, possibly,
with some little prejudice in the case; al.
though General Porter was man whom ]
personally knew and liked before. But
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 10 be placed in
position where he could be made response.
BE for his Indifference; and that the pun
ishment was not severe one for such an
offence.
I am now convinced that he rendered
faithful, efficient and intelligent service,
and the fact that he was retained in com
mand OF corps for months after his
offences we're said 10 have been committed
is in his favor.
What would ask in General Porters
behalf from you is, that il you can possibly
give the time. that you give the subject the
same study and thought that have gwen
II. and then act Is your Judgment
NAV dictate. But feeling you will not
have time for such an Investigation, for 1t
would take several days timel would ask
that the whole matter be laid before the
Attorney General for his examination and
opinion. ,.
Hoping YOU will be able TO do this much
for an officer who has suffered for nineteen
wears a punishment that neysr should have
been inflicted on any but the most guilty.
/ am, very truly yours,