Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-05-08

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one to whom we shall always be grateful"
He looked up there was q faint smile
upon his face it was the slightest posi-
| BILE recognition of the really sincere com
pliment had paid him. The face instant
ly was as plain set, incomprehensble as
before. felt thaC it was time to 60. just
as was rising to leave, my eye caught sight
of one of the New York dailies lying upon
the desk The papers at that time were
debating, with more or less heat, the ques-
ton which was being discussed in con
gress rs to the treachery of General Fitz
John Porter while serving under General
Pope. Some of the papers were reflect
ing more or less seN erely upon General
Grant for coming to the defence of Gene
raj Porter in the face of his former adj
verse criticism of him. 1 alluded to the
case and to the structures of the press upon
him. Immediately General Grants whole
manner changed. His eyes frightened I;
his voice struck a higher key, and his
words were prompt and forceful. For an
hour he discussed the men and events
connected with the second Bull Run bat
tie with largeness of spirit, and fluen-
cy and terseness of expression that to me
have never been excelled. He began by
saying 1T may be somebody's idea of
consistency to stick to mistake, but it is
not mine. If | am wrong l am glad to
know it,, and glad to confess it. When
this battle was fought | was busy else
where, and | afterward knew but very lit
tie of those movements which led to its
disasters | accepted, as most did, the
verdict of the court-martial which con
demned Mr. Porter for not obeying Mr.
Pope's order to attack and turn Jackson's
right" noticed that Gen. Grant all
through this most interesting talk spoke
of Mr.. Pope and Mr.. Porter. have been
told that this is the usual way in which
army officers of the highest grade speak
of each other, Gen. Grant continued
II afterward had time and means for a
thorough study of this case. | had the
improved battle maps, and the reports OF
the affair from the cunfederates' side,
which came to light after the war was
over. After the fullest and best consider
alton which could give to the subject |
became satisfied that Mr.. Porter, during
all these years, had been gratefully wrong
ed. am anxious to undo the sore injus-
tice have dealt him." The deep earnest
ness that came into Grants voice and face
as he uttered these words impressed me
greatly. He went on to say /: "About
that much-disputed order that Mr.. Pope
claimed that he sent at half-past four, and
which Mr.. Porter denied that he received
before six O'Clock, why need we make this
u question of veraclty between these
men / know Mr.. Pope very well /; l
served under him at the beginning of the
war have always known him to be an
honorable, truthful man. | have also
known Mr.. Porter, very capable officer,
patriotic man-he would scorn such
meanness. Now" said General Grant, as
he drew up to the table, and, taking pen
Gil and paper, began to indicate the posi-
ton of the different army divisions as
they were on the afternoon of the Goth of
August, here was Mr.. Pope, over there
beyond the railroad was Mr.. Porter. Pope
sent his aide he thinks, at half-past four
with an order to Porter" Grant indica-
ted on the paper the circuitous route the
aide must have taken. Now" he said,
mo commander, in the confusi IN of pend.
ing or expected battle, can always be sure
about the exact time as to communica-
tions with other parts of q great field in
broken, wooded country. 1t takes time to
get the aide off with the order, and time
for him to carry it, and time for him to
hunt up the headquarters of the officer to
whom it is sent. In view of such uncer-
tainties it is wrong, it is cruel to say that
either one or both of these officers lied
about this order" And then General
Grant appealed to his own experience on
many battle fields to show how imposs-
bic it is to be entirely sure as to a question
of time, when it is contingent upon so
many unknown circumstances. l was
struck with the great magnanimous spirit
of the man in discussing not only the
generals, Pope and Porter, but other men
high in civil and military rank, represen-
tatives of the North and the South in
IL
full breadth and generosity of judgment
in all his characteriZatons that only an
intellect and heart of largest calibre
could produce. And then his language,
so slow and seemingly embarrassed at first
in utterance, how it compacted itself into
the strongest, simplest Saxon words, find
ing ready, full, uninterrupted flow
through that hours interview. | came to
understand how the late Governor Nor
gan of New York could say Get him
started, General Grant is the grandest,
the most fascinating talker | ever heard"
And while Grant was talking to me of
MIR. Pope and Mr.. Porter, and that battle,
made most memorable because of the bit
ter controversy it has evoked, he was
sketching on single sheet of paper the
rude military map. AS l rose to go, l
said General, if you will put your name
to that paper and let me have it will give
you my hearty thanks" with great
pleasure" he said as he dashed his bold
signature upon it. And this is the way
that came by this rough war sketch,
every line of which brings before me the
strong man, now fighting his last enemy
nay, having already overcome him, con
queror to the last.