New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-10
THE CASE OF FITZ JOHN PORTER.
GENERAL LONGsTREET's VIEWS EXPRESSED IN A
LETTER TO GENERAL GRANT.

GENERAL LoNGsTREET's VIEWS EXPRESSED IN
LETTER TO GENERAL GRANT
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-The following is the
text OF letter written by General L0ngsireet TO
General Grant, and dated Atlanta, Ca, December 80,
1882:
1t occurs to me that account OF parallel cIrcum-
and during the second Manassas, to those leading tho
Fitz John Porter trial, may be proper sequel 10 your
recently published paper referring TO his case II oat
just however to admit that the argument OF those VINO
hold TO the finding Of the court martial Is rom their
strictly military standpoint conclusive But they seem
Ignore the well recognized custom of war; that sure
ror officers not confined TO the rule that holds an
stances the letter Of the orders OF it, chief but are
ID and e ed to due do Geoa Maven
occurred ia your experience where officers were as de-
serving of reproof for falling to exercise suen discretion
Early on August 80 1852, at the head of my column.
arrived IN striking distance OF the battle I'm progress. be-
JaeksOn's wing OF the Army OF Northern Virginia;
Upon seeing the approach of column the Federal
tn ,ps were Withdrawn defensive position, little
retired. Before noon, testified by myself and others
and formed Jacksous right, at right angles TO tho
Warrenton Pike and extending to and beyond Se Ma
indicated his purpose TO have me attack Intending TO
execute his plan ASKED nm 70 ts Is new
Sacrifice was key 10 he such as TO cane apprehension
OF failure. He did not seem quite satisfied and was
considering the proprety OF making nis orders morg
OF the approach of Federal troops upon my right
This drew attention part the field for the time.
il appeared that this force hardly strong
enough for attack the question OF attack by the First
As the day was far spent suggested force recon-
noisance at nighfa and preparations for the action OF
the day following. This was accepted The reeoDnois
however satisfied General Lee and my SELF that the
battle should not be made at this point 80 withdreg
about midnight TO the ground we Ina occupied Dei9s
our advance The next day the Federals renewed the
battle against DICKSON As we were not engaged nor
seriously threatened rode ont IN advance OF my ie IN
opportunity to take my share OF the battle,
and founi number OF my Officers collected at point
from which they had fair view of the masses yelling up
against Jackson From this point II was evident that
few batteries having enlade fire could dispense the at
tack. and OF our batteries were ordered IOfWafu
Tor The position and prepared Meanwhile message
General jackson asking for reinfOrcement3
and almost Immediately after came an order Gen
era Lee 10 send some OF nv brigaes TO Jackson It did
not probable that the troops could reach Jackson
in time If sent at the same time there was no doubt OK
Under the clrumstan felt mpeed 10 disregard the
orders and to operate on my IN Judgment Inc hre OF
batteries produced re- uts anticT ated When tho
attacking forces dispersed, my command was
sprung TO the charge and swept the Held hau tnus
Porter would been In good TO take on the
wing and would in all probability have crushed me.
Had stopped to reinforce on the second day. is hardly
probable that Jackson could have held till my troops
Az YOU state il was not possible for Porter to attack
under the A. 80 ORDER the failure 10 do which was alleged
his high crime II may suppose that he received
the order at and had attacked he would have given
us the opportunity that earnestly seeking all
of that day. In the disoned condition OF their
on that day the result might have been seri0ris
than that OF the next day-30th. Now If suppose
we shall that the evidence against me would have
been stronger than that against Porter, Yet with an
it would be culpable TO execute than to dlsobey
them. II In the exercise OF discretion one becomes
the direct cause 81 failure ne SHOULD only De &
comhture upon the arms, II Is criminal
Soon after this campaign was promoted, and as
signed as Senior Northumberland OF the Confederate
Army.