The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-24
FRIDAY. DECEMBER "a. 1897.
A PLEASING AND PATRIOTIC LET
TER FROM MUCH INJURED MAN.

General FIJI JOnn IOlltI, OF lut 'hlttu
States army. was one OF the most cruelty
vronaed mon during the war that thus
country has ever known. A graduate OF
West Point. looked on in the old army as
an officer with an exceptional career be-
fore him. he was given high command
at the beginning of the war, and there
were plenty of men who thought 1t not
unreasonable to expect him 10 reach the
very top Of the ladder before the war
came 20 an end.
His conduct IN the early engagements
of the war was fully up 10 all that was
expected Of him. Commanding a body
Of men in the seven Days Battles around
Richmond that included the regulars OF
the United States army. he fought his
command in those battles with great
skin and the highest gallantry.
When that braggarb and blatherskite
Pope met with his overwhelming defeat
at the Second Battle of Manassas. cast
ing around for a scapegoat, he, for some
reason of private malevOlence perhaps,
selected General Porter as his victim, and
consplring and contriving his ruin, he
packed court martial on him that con-
demned him upon suborned and perjured
testimony, and this worthy and brilliant
soldier was compelled to wear the marks
Of public degradation for many years.
Long afterwards the inherent sense of
justice of the American people forced
re-examination of his case. when sec
ond court martial, presided over by that
knightly soldier. Winfield s. Hancock.
exposed the fraudulent proceedings Of the
first. reversed all ii had done, did Gene
raj Porter complete justice, end the ma
ton restored him TO his place in the
army with fun compensation for what he
had been deprived Of. Ills case is a sig
nal illustration Of how injustice and
wrong are always corrected in time by
tbs unerrlng operations OF the laws OF
truth and justice.
Captain John Lamb the vigilant and
worthy representative Of the Third Con-
gresslonal district in Congress. sent Gen
eral Porter recently a copy of the ad-
dress he delivered before Lee Camp upon
the battle OF Malvern Hill. in which
General Porter played a most distin-
gushed part. and he received from him
tho following letter. which he kindly per-
;nlts us to present 10 our readers:
'Morristown, n. j..
December Il. 1877.
My Dear Sill received I'm due time
your address on Malvern Hlll' and read
81 with pleasure and interest and cor
Tally thank you for II. AT the time of
che battle knew little OF your plans or
OF preceding operations or of anything
but what came under my sight-and so
many years have passed since those
events that much OF them have disap-
peared or diminished In my memory.
SUI the memory OF Malvern Hin is very
strong and the bravery, gallantry, per-
severance OF your men were astonishing
and ncxcelled--especlally as we supposed
your commanding officers must have
seen as We saw and felt, that your strug-
gle was I'm vain. The battle in my front
was very severe TO both sides. and
equaiied. probably only by that or
Gaines Mil. But so good was our posi-
ton and preparations. that l felt that, II
persisted in, the attacking forces would
ne ar INFLATED. The condition OF matters
90 my right-in front OF Sumner and
Franklin knew nothing OF except 10
call for and get isistance. The fact was
devtloTed and subsequently maintained
IN many battles and IS now felt that i'm
any war with a foreign country. we will
have no superior 10 overcome and can
safely rely upon our citizens whether in
Che regular army or militia trained.
IT hope the preparations for defence
now being made will prevent any dis
turbancc for many years ana. with good
government will give peace and pros
perity all over our country.
Again thanking you. and with best
wishes for a Merry Christmas and snany
happy returns I am. yours truly
"rITZ JOHN PORTER"
Zion. John Lamb"
We take great pleasure In printing this
letter from General Porter. and for two
reasons. The first is that IL shows his
mind and heart 20 be inspired by the
kIndest spirit OF comradeship for the old
Confederate soldiers II shows spirit In
Fee erai soldier that does honor 20 the
character OF a soldier.
The second reason is That It bears I'M
equivocal testimony from one of the most
competent judges living TO the quality OF