The Portland daily press., 1885-12-21
FsTz JOHN PORTER.
Some Letters from Gen. Grant Hith-
ertc Unpublished.

NEW York, Dec 20-Those noble traits in Gen.
Grants character which have earned for him the
affection and grateful veneration of his country
men are admirably exhibited in his correSp0n-
dence regarding the case of Gen. FltZ John Por-
ter which is now for the first time placed pe1ore
the public in the shape of a little pamphlet, con
tanning number of letters OF various dates from
September 1866, to July, 1884.
Nov. 10, Gen Grant writes:
'I am in receipt of yours of this date, with copy
of Gen Terry's letter. / have read the letter 1t
is many, to say the least, and exonerate you 50
far as the Judgment of one-and very mtelli-
gent-menber of the court goes / will destroy
the copy of Gen. Terry's letter which you sent
me-" 4 few days later he writes again that he
has not had time to go over very carefully the
papers submitted to him by Porter. Il think |
can safely say,' he adds, THAT you will not meet
with opposition from me in obtaining relief from
tile odium of your sentence. After examining
the papers before lne-which will do within a
few days, if have to shut myself up for the pur-
poSe-if my Judgment convinces me that you nave
been wronged, will say So"
The conclusions finally reached by Gen. Grant
concerning the merits of the case are best set
forth in letter addressed by him to the Presi-
dent and dated Dec. %. In this communication
AT the request of Gen, Fitz-John Porter, I
have recently reviewed his trial and the teStl-
mony.furnished before the Scholtield court of in
curry, held in 1879. The reading of the whole
of this record has thoroughly convinced me that
for these 10 years 1 have been doing a gallant
and efficient soldier very great Injustice feel
it incumbent upon me now to do whatever lies IN
nv power to remove from him and. from his fam
ily the stain upon his good name. In Justification
for my injustice to Gen. Porter, l can only STATE
that shortly after the war closed MS defence was
brought to my attention. but read III IN con-
nection with sketch Of the field where his of
fences were said to have been committed. Wnlcn
nowisee, since perfectmaps have been made by the
engineers department OF the whole Held, were
totally incorrect as showing the position OF the
two armies. i also read it IN connection WIN
statements made on the other side against
Gen. Porter and | am afraid possibly, win
some little prejudice in the case-although Gen.
Porter was a man whom | personally knew
and liked before; but l got the impress
a half-hearted support of Gen. Pope in his cam
paigns and that Gen. Porter, While possibly not
more guilty than others, happened TO be placed IN
a position where he could be made responsible
not severe one for such an offence am now
convinced that he rendered faithful, eftelent ana
intelligent service, and the fact that he was re-
tained In command of a corps for months after ms
offences were said to have been committed, Is III
his favor. / would ask that the whole matter be
laid before the Attorney General for his eXamna-
tion and opinion i hope that you will be able
to do this much for an officer who has Sultered,
for nineteen years. a punishment that never
should be inflicted upon any but the most guilty.
From this time on, Gen Grant exerted himself
tothe utmost to repair the injustice when ne nad
unWittingly done Rofter
Gen, Grants etter'Go Gen, Borter is dated Juls
A. 1884. He says:
me to read the veto of your bill by the President
Yesterday. was not prepared for it. HIS mes
sage is the merest sOphistry., 1t is no doubt
great disappointment to you and your falnily, Du
believe it will result ultimately in doing yot
fuller justice, You were dismissed unjustiy, anC
YOU are entitled to restoration. That would MAKE
YOU q major general from the dismissal 70 tne
time of restoration. want to see this final declS
ion in your case. Be of good cheer, and pray thai
Justice may yet be done you and yours"