The National tribune., 1893-04-27
FITZ JOHN PORTER.
A Conlrade Thinks He and Mcdowell Were
Responsible for Pope's Defeat.

Responsible for Pope's Defeat.
z NOTICE in recent issue communica-
ton from Patrick BTeen. Co G, ID Z. S.
Inf. Second Brigade, Second Division,
Fifth Corps, in which he upholds Gen.
Mcdowell and condemns Gen. Porter for the
part he Porter took in the second battle of
Bull Run. In so far as his sketch refers to
Gen. Porter ! can indorse everything he says,
and 90 further, and will say that | believe
Porter was as brave and the abiest corps COM
mander who ever served in the Army of the
Potomac.
His fight at Gaines's Mill, in which, with
% 600 men. he withstOod Jackson with $4,000
all day, without assistance from Mcclellan,
sufficiently demonstrates that fact 1t was a
stand-np fight, and the history of the war does
not show a contest where the odds were greater
or the troops acquitted themselves with more
honor; all of which was due to Gen. Porter's
bravery and ability.
His appeals to Mcclellan for assistance were
in vain. Why he STILL after the battle of
Ganes's Mill, maintained his love and admira-
ton for Mcclellan is question | could never
satisfactorily answer; and yet | believe his
action at the second battle of Bull Run, for
which he was court martialed and dismissed
in disgrace, was governed and controlled solely
by his love and feaity TO Mcclellan. / can
Gnd no other motive.
He was justly punished for a great crime
against the AInETlEdH people, anu lDG SAcTIuC-
ing Pope and thousands OF valiant soldiers for
the purpose of placing Mcclellan again in COM
mand. In this he was successful, and MeClel-
Ian had another opportunity 10 demonstrate
his incompetency at Antietam.
The Fifth Corps camped at Bristoe Station
| the night of the 2Sth of August, 1862. 1t was
! a very dark aud rainy night, and we had ar
/ rived there from Falmouth after a leisurely
march of nearly week. Gen. Porter was
! ordered by Pope to move that night TO another
| position, but under the plea that il was too
dark to move troops remained in camp until
! daylight of the 29tb. Notwithstanding the
darkness Of the night, the rebel troops were in
motion. aud came in collision with our outposts
| several times Early in the morning of the
| 29th VIC were under arms, and reached Manas-
| sas Junction al z a. m. From Manassas juno
! ton a road leads through Thoroughfare Gap,
/ FIVE miles distant, to White Plains.
/ / have always understood that at that time
! Gen. Longstreet, with the largest corps OF
| the rebel army, was on the other side of the
| from making junction with Lees army in
time for the battle by closing Thoroughfare
Gap the next gap being 80 miles distant.
| This was the duty assigned 10 FitZ John
Porter and the Fifth Corps How well he did
| that duty is matter of history. The Fifth
Corps could have been placed in position
covering that gap by 10 a. IN of the 29th oil
against 100000 troops. We had clear road, but
no effort was made TO secure the position. We
were marched and countermarched on that
road ali day, part OF the time double-quick
aud were not taken in sight of the gap until
o'clock p. m. The head of Longstreet's Corp:
were at that time just making their appear
aDce. and ran out battery and opened fire or
the head OF our column. Even then no dem
onstraton WIS made on our part, and we Eel
back out OF range and bivouacked for til,
night.
Longstrect's Corps came through that nigh
and took position on the left Of Lees line. NJ
part of the Fifth Corps was in line of battle tina
day, nor was shot fred by them, although
Pope's troops were fighting all day.
On the Both the Fifth Corps was ordered Il
take position the right of Popa's army, a
Groveton, aud maie assault on Longstreet
Corps. got repulsed with heavy loss, aud re
treated To Cenierviie that night.
On the 29th. while Fitz John Porter wa
killing time" and al owing Longstreet Il