The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-03-25
Fit. John Porter as a Soldier.

Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, Republican.
Those who have made metit OF win.
dictiveness toward Fltz John Porter have
substantially assumed that he was Q
traitor, and must have been a rebel 81
heart, and be has been rathlessly de.
nounced because the testimony of the
Confederate Generals has had tendency
to show that he was good soldier.
Fi'z John Porter's 6rst point IN the
war was in his striking efficiency IN the
earliest days OF the struggle in puttins =
things to rights in Pennsylvania, and Sc
curing the line OF communication be-
tween Washington and the NDr.h.
Next he admirably disciplined bis di
vision in the Army of the Potomac, and
when the 2eninsulsr campsign had de-
veloped and Mcdowell was TO come on
from Fredericksburg, Porter prepared
the way by the brilliant action at Hano-
yer Court House.
When Mcdowell was turned back for
the alleged protection of Washington,
and Stonewsll Jackson came down on
the right OF Mcclellan, Porter fought
the splendid battle of Gaines Mills, and
though beaten hack because not properly
supported, be made the Confederate ad :
vance cost them frightfully.
Again be was the foremost figure in
the crushing defeat that The Confederates
received at Malvern Hill.
Then Mcclellan was pulled away from
the James River, where he occupied q
position quite as good as that which
Grant gained two bloody years later, ,and
the Army of the Potomac most reluct-
antly and needlessly returned to Alex
andria, while Gen Pope was demonstra.
ting toward Richmond, and endeav0ring
to fool the Confederstes with bis extra
ordinary orders.
The soldiers-men and ofiicers-of the
Army OF the Potomac, Immediately after
this retreat, we're not 10 good shape.
They were discouraged and angry. 1t
was human nature to be 80. They felt
that thev had not been we'll handled
that their glorious valor and precious
blood bad been wasted-and they
thought themselves insulted by refer.
ence in one OF Pope's orders.
= y
The question whether Pope would get
Jackson or Jackson would get him, was
40 close as horse race, and be was fu-
rious when fortune was sgainst him
The truth Of history is that when he or.
aered Porter to fall upon Jackson's
flank the opportunity to do SO had pass.
ed, and that II Porter had made the rush
Longstreet would have been on
his flank.
We have not seen the evidence that a
great battle wss fought on the 29th OF
August. Senator L gan does not sup
port his strong opinions on that subject
witk the butchers bills. He fails in cas-.
ualty lists OF the 29th. On the 30th there
vas q great battle, aud Porter's corps
lid some OF the heaviest work in the war
On that day. and he was 10 the thick of
The 6ght, as brilliant, as chivalrous, as
noble figure as was on the field; and
ais command, composed OF the bravest
,f the brave a. it was, and handled hy o
hero, prevented the defeat from becom.
ng rout, and redeemed the soldierly
character of the national arms. on the
'ery field OF Bull Run where they had
been tarnis6ed.
One would suppose from the common
yabble Of ill-informed politicians and
,artisans who Sin against light and
knowledge on this subject. that Porter
had never fought battle for his coun
ny, and especially is IL forgotten that on
he dav after bis accused hardness and
lisloyalty be was in the heat Of the CON-
rat, losing percentage of his troops as
great ss any division sustained at Get
Ysburg.
The attempt In tie face of such re-
,ord to insist that the decision of o
,ourt, rendered upon imperfect and per.
'erted testimony, under the Presidency
" crank like Gen Hunter, vas sa-
red thing, is unworthy the e,Auerican
people and must fail