The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1882-01-19
FITz JOHN PORTER.

General Porter's Appeal in His Own Behalf
General Grants Recent Letter to the
President.
The following correspondence, of general in
terest, has recently been made public:
GENERAL PoRTER's APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT.
NEW TeRK, December2a, 1851
To the President, Washington, D. c.:
SIR: respectfully represent that, in Janu-
airy: 1888, by court-martial, I ives most unjustly
fenced ITO be sashiered and forever disquali-
ned from holding any Office of trust or profit
under the Government Of the United States"
court have protested my innocence Of all
wrong done, and asserted the injustice Of the
sentence, and, presenting sustaining evidence,
1873 the President, in orde TO be fully informed
OF the facts Of the case, and to be enabled to act
adv1sediy upon my application for relief, APP
pointed board of army officers to examine into
the merits of the cas- }, and report what action,
II any, in their opinion, Justice required
should be taken on my application. That
board after thorough examination into the
facts of the case, vindicated me in every re-
spect, and reported that, in their opinion, jus
tice required at the hands of the President
such action as may be necessary to annul and
martial, and restore me to the positions Of
which that sentence deprived ms-such resto-
ration to take effect from the date Of dismissal
urgently represent that the sentence is a
continuing sentence, and SO long as it exists it
Is within the reach and under the con-
tro d OF the Executive power; that, harsh
81 reasons, subject for consideration
and action of the Executive, now that it 10
be unjust; and I respectfully ask you if con-
WINGED of the Justice OF the Recommendation
Of the Advisory Board, to annul and set aside
the findings and sentence of the court-martial,
and nominate me to the Senate for the restore
ton of my rank in the army under the act Of
Congress of 1888, allowing that mode of redress
%n thf ~ the
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
honorcd and trusted me. Very respectfully
yours, FITZ JOHN PORTER
GENERAL GRANT TO PRESIDENT ARTHUR.
New YORK, December ~, 1881.
The President, Washington, d. c.:
DEAR SIR At the request Of General Fitz
John Porter have recently reviewed his trial
and the testimony furnished before the
to the subject three full days of careful read
ing 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 great
injustice, in thought, and sometimes in speech.
feel it incumbent upon me now to do what
him and from his family the stain upon
his good name. l feel this more incum-
bent upon me than should if l had been .
er command in the army than the one which
did; but as GEM l had it possibly in my
power to have obtained for him the hearing
dent. 1 certainly had the power to have order
ed that hearing. In justification for my in
justice to G anersl Porter, can only state that,
shortly after the war closed, his defense was
Init I I'M
necton with a sketch of the field where his
Offcnses re said to have been committed
which now see. since perfect maps have been
VIII lie lid, were totally incorrect, as showing
the position of the two armies. I have read
it in connection with the statements
Porter, and am afraid, possibly, with some
little prejudice in the case, although General
Porter was a man whom personally knew and
liked before; but l got an impression, with
many others, that there was ahalf-hearted sup
port of General Pope in his campaigns, and
guilty than Others happened to be placed in a
for his indifference, and that the punishment
was not q severe one for such an otfense. l
am now convinced he rendered faithful, eff
he was retained in command Of a corps for
months after his Offenses were said to have
been committed is in his favor.
What would ask in General Porter's behalf
from you is, that, If you can possibly give the
time, you give the subject the same study and
thought have given it, and then act us your
Judgment may dictate. But, feeling you will
not have time for such investigation TOR 1t
would take several days timc), would ask
that the whole matter be laid before the At
terncy-G eneral for his examination and opn-
ion.
Hoping you will be able to do this much for
att officer who has suffered for nineteen years
a punishment that never should be inflicted
upon any but the most guilty, am very truly
yours, U. 5. GRANT.
Roilroe6 Rui1diuo In 1891