The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-29
GRANT TO PORTER.

In letter to Gen. Fltz John Por-
ter, written November 3, Gen. Grant
says:
81 never believed you to be traitor
as many affected to believe, but did
believe that Gen. Pope was SO odious
to some of the officers in the east that
cordial support was not given him
by them. / was disposed, too, to ac-
cept the verdict of a court martial
composed as the one was which tried
you. 1 supposed you had shared in
this feeling toward Pope, and, while
not more guilty than others, you were
unfortunate in being placed in a posi-
ton where specifications could be
made showing this hostility.
Until, in 1881, I re-eXamined for
myself, my belief was that, on the
29th of August, 1862, a great battle
was fought between Gen, Pope, COM
manding the union forces, and Gen.
Jackson, commanding the confederate
forces; and you, with a corpse of 12,-
600 or more men, stood in position
across the right flank of Gen. Jackson
and where you could easily get into
his rear; that you received an order to
do so about 5 or $50 o'clock, which
you refused to obey because of clouds
| of dust in your front, which you con-
tended indicated an enemy in superior
force to you; that you allowed Pope
to get beaten, while you stood idly
looking on without lifting an arm
to help him. With this under
standing, and without doubt
as to the correctness of
it, 1 condemned you. Now, on full
investigation of the facts, find that
the battle was fought on the 3Oth of
August; that your corps, commanded
directly by you in person, lost great
er per centage than any other corps
engaged; that the 4:3O o'clock order
of the day before did not reach you
until nightfall; that your immediate
superior had cautioned you early in
the day that you were too far out in
front then; that Gen. Pope had eau
toned you against bringing on an en-
| gagemept except under such circum-
stances as he described; and that, in
any event YOU must be prepared to
] fall nach behind Bull Run that n.sht,
where it would be necessary for you
to be to receive supplies; that
from half past eleven o'clock of
the 9th you were confronted by a
force of twice your own number, of
whose presence you had positive proof
while Gen. Pope did not know of it.
| This last fact is shown by the word
| ing of the 4:30 o'clock order; if direct
| ed you to attack the enemy's right
and to get in his rear. Gen. Pope's
circular of the morning of the 29th
said that Gen. Lee was advancing by
way of Thoroughfare gap. AT the
rate at which The was moving
would be up the night Of
the Both, or the morning of the 31st.
In his testimony before the court
martial which tried you he said
under oath, that he did not know
of the arrival of Lees command
until o'clock of the 18th, an houl
and a half after he had dictated the
order for your attack. His circular
and testimony prove conclusively that
Jackson, and jackson alone, was the
enemy he intended you to attack
Your knowledge of this fact, as wei
as of the fact that you had another
force quite doubly yours IN addition
in your front, would have been suffi
Gent justification for your not attack
ing, even if the order had been re
i ceived in time. OF course this would
not apply if battle had been raging
between Jackson and Pope. At thu
hour you received the order all wa.
quiet"
The general adds that he has NJ
doubt that his change of mind would
have occurred in 1867 had he theI
made an investigation, and concludes
GAS long as have voice, it shall bC
raised in your support, without an!
reference to the effect upon me O.
others. Your restoration to the arm,
simply would regard as a very in
adequate and unjust reparation:
hope for you a thorough .1 :, vi nd =
of your countrymen."