The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-11-30

illustrated Correspondence Eeao NORTH Vest
This subject of much Congressional debate
Of an earnest character ~ "A native Of New
Hampshire. He was born at Portsmouth in
1923. Destined TO the military profession, he
graduated with honor at West Point in 1915.
As second lieutenant Of the Fourth Artillery
he fought in Mexico at the battles Of Cerro
Gordo, Contreras, Moline del Rey, in the
sieges Of Vera Cruz and Chapultepec and in
the capture Of Mexico, where he was wound
ed. His honorable services in the campaign
won him distinction, and be was successfully
breveted ~ captain and major during its
progress. He was appointed instructor OF
artillery and cavalry at West Point in the
year lS49, and served as Assistant Adiutant
General Of the Utah expedition from 1851 10
1860 when the civil war broke out lie was
in Texas. Returning with the troops under
his charge, he was given command in Penn
sylvasia, with the duty of keeping the roads
to Washington open. As the result of his
vigilance and independence, the Missouri
volunteers were mustered in when tele-
graphic communication between ST. Louis
and Washington and the safety of the arsenal
of st. Louis were threatened by the Seces-
sionists In order to accomplish this useful
service he telegraphed the necessary order
In the name Of the Secretary Of War, who
highly complimented him on his readiness Of
resource. After serving for a time rs chief
of staff with General Patterson, he was APP
pointed commander Of division in the newly
organized Army OF the Potomac, In which
capacity he captured Yorktown. As COM
mander of the Fifth Army Corps, he fought
In the battles of New Bridge, Hanover Court
House. Gaines's Mills, turkey Bridge and
Malvern. and was promoted Major General
Of Volunteers and Brevet Brigadier General
In the regular army. When the Peninsula
was abandoned by the Army of the Potomac,
General Porter was assigned command un-
der General Pope. He reported on the 9th
of August, 1852 The second battle of Bull
Run was fought during the closing days Of
the same month, and IL was charged against
Porter by General Pope that he was guilty of
disobedience of orders and miShchaviOr be-
fore the enemy during the progress of this
conflict, August 5-99. The consequence was
n court. martial trial, which was i~gun on
the first of December, 1862, and was ended on
the tenth of January ensuing. General Por-
ter was found guilty Of the charges made
against him. and sentenced to Ice cashiered
and forever disqualified from holding any
office of trust or profit under the Government
of the United States He soon after began
business In New York City, which be relin-
pushed TO become superintendent OF the con-
sfruction Of the New Jersey Insane Asylum
In 1875 he was appointed Commissioners Of
Public Works In New York. Ever since his
conviction General Porter has worked indie
fatigably TO bring about a reversal Of the SEN
tence pronounced against him. President
Hayes appointed commission 10 inquire
into the ease, who exonerated Porter from
blame in the matters upon which he had been
found delinquent by the court-martial. This
opinion has been adopted by General Grant;
and the friends Of the disgraced soldier have
succeeded In getting bill through III" United
States Senate, the passage of which by The
House of Representatives and the signature
of President Arthur, would reinstate him in
his old rank In the army, and remove all
stains from his record as n public servant.