Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-01-11
WAR TALK.
General Longstreet Writes Grant Long
Letter in Defense Of Porter.

Washington, January q General
l.ongstrcct, by request Of the National
Republican, sends that paper the fol-
lowing letter:
Atlanta, Georgia--To General L. :.
Grant, New York. My Dear Sir-It
occurs to me that on account of the
parallel circumstances passing In
the Army of Northern Virginia before
and during the second Manassas, TO
those leading to the fitz John Porter
trial, IL may be proper sequel to your
recently published paper referring to
his casc. IL Is but JUST however,
4 to admit the argument that those who
hold the finding of the court martial
In from their strlctly military stand
point conclusive, but they seem 10 ig-
more the we'll recognized custom of war
that superior officers are not confined
to n rule that holds the army as a
grand machine limited under all cir
cumstances 10 later orders of liz chief,
but are expected and required to exer.
else due discretion when not In his inn
mediate presence, No doubt eases
have occurred In your experience
where officers were rs deserving OF
reproof for failing TO excpise such dis
erection rs for failing to obey orders.
head OF my column | arrived in
striking distance OF the battle in pro-
gress between a part of the Army of
Potomac and General Jaekson's Army
of Northern Virginia. Upon seeing
theapproach OF our column the Fed
efal troops were withdrawn
TO the defensive position n
little and retired before noon,
rs testified by myself and others
before the Sconeld hoard. My COM
mand was deployed and formed on
.lackson's right, at right angles to War
renton, u point extending To and
beyond the Manassas Gap Rail-
road As soon rs deployed
the general indicated his pur.
pose TO have me attack Intending
10 execute his plan, asked time To
reconnolter the post aud ground inter
vening. After Reconnaissance, re-
ported the position strong, and that
flto sacrifice wa, likely 10 be such ms
would cause apprehension OF failure.
He did not seem satisfied, and was
considering the propnety of making
his orders more deiinite, when infor-
nation was received from General
Stuart OF the approach of Federal
troops upon my right. This drew at
tentiuu w ttiat part ~ tue Uclt Tor
that time, but when II appeared, this
force was hardly strong enough for
AN attack.
The question of an attack by the
first corps was resumed. As the day
was far spent | suggested force re-
connoler at nightfall aud make prepa-
rations for action ON the day following.
This was accepted. A Reconnaissance
however satisfied General Lee and
myself that the attack should not boz
made at this point, so | withdrew
about midnight 10 the ground we had
occupied before our advance Next
day the Fedcrals renewed the battle
against jackson. As we were not en-.
gagged, nor seriously threatened, |
rode out in advance OF my line (
in search OF an opportunity 70 take my |
share of the battle and found num-
Der of my officers collected at point
from which they had a fair view of the
MASSES walling up against Jackson.
From this point Ii was evident that
cw batteries having enfilade fire,
'vuld disperse an attack and some Of
" batteries were ordered forward for