Year: 1878

EX-GOVERNOR NEWELL, MAJOR RUGGLEs, AND


OTHER IMPORTANT WITNESSES.


WEST POINT, N. Y, July 17.-Yesterday
an important day in the Fitz John Porter case.


Eek Governor Newell Of New-Jersey, was the first wit
He testified that he had personal interview with
President Lincoln the suggestion Of Governor Ran
dOlph and Others regarding General Porters He
proceeding to testify further when the Recorder Of
the board interrupted by asking what the purport
OF the evidence to be given Mr. ChOae Of counsel for
General Porter stated that in bis decision Mr. Lincoln
said that he dd not rely upon the evidence before the
court martial but upon the review presented by the
Judge Advocate General. The Recorder replied in ar
gument The members Of the board then held consul
taioD and decided that the evidence admissible
the ground that viii give the present President
porunity TO understand thoroughly the approval OF the
previous President.


The witness (cOntiuungl stated that President Lin
coin said TO him that he had not been able to give the
personal attention General which its
merits required but he had accepted the opinion OF
Judge Advocate Holt and that he meant TO offer him a
chance to put in evidence tho President added
that he had high regard for General Porter gentle
man and soldier, and hoped he would be able to vind
cate himself that way. The witness was Member OF
Congress the time of the interview and very in
innate with the President.


Major Geo. d. Ruggles. OF POpes staff was the next
witness. He testified that he wrote the noted 4:30
order, and that the date put before Pope die





seal it up direct it and detail aidedecamps orderly
TO carry II.


General Pope's address taking command of the
army read refute the charge that Porter had used
dsrespectu language about him, nsel claiming that
the dsrespectfu language referred simply quota
tions from POpe's address.


In relation to the condition Of the road from Warren
ton TO BrisOe the night Of the 27th when Porter
ceved POpes order to march at O'Clock In the morning
the witness said it impossible to march, the road
blocked with sumps OF trees aud sapngs and
and the NIGHT was very dark; he himself lost his
imOny indicated that Porter could get no plan OF the
campaign from POPE the latter being very reueeh re-
he left Pope serious and respondent and in detected
@ bo6 70 Won G think Porter G S viii fall me-
This fell like thunderclap upon witness, for he had
The dispatch to HSieck on the sOth was read and
identified by the witness Its admission was objected
to by the Recorder as irrelevant but was finally ad-
mtted as evidence showing the heavy nghtng OF the
Fifth Corps that day. The witness testified that he sug
gesed 70 Pope al the time that he thought IL mis-
take TO say; I'VE have lost nothng-neither guns nor
Frederick T. Locke, Porter's Assistant AdiutantGen-
era and Chief OF staff testified corrObOraton as tOthe
darkness Of the night OF the 27th He SAID II was pitch
dark He could not see his hand before his face He
testified that within five minutes after General Porter
received the 430 order, witness took It, and gong 10
General More ordered him action at once adding,
&" General Porter Will DO up Immediately" AT this time
George Montoth OF Cincinnati. was captain and aid
on General POrters staff He strongly eorrobOrated

road from Warenton TO Bristoe the night OF the 27th
by mnute,y detailing the serious distinctions and
closely describing the intense darkness OF the night
All OF his testimony was corrO0oraVe ot previous tes
mony of POrter's staff


Here the petitioner rested his case, with the pr0viso
that he will have the right to call four other wit
nesses who now prevented from coming by Ill



Mr.. Maltby OF counsel for General Porter, said 81
should kea state that It may all the land
that years ago General Porter instituted close
search for three scouts that be had captured on the
29th Of August 1852 at the second battle OF Bun Run
who said they LOngstrees men, and one or whom
said he had known him personally when boy IN Alex
andria. also since my connection in this case year
ago, have carried close search, but have been
unable 70 find them ] hope the papers viii mention
this order that any Of these scouts may volunteer in
formation"


The Recorder stated that he would have witnesses to-
day, for the Government and the board then Ad-
jOuTued for the day.


To-day after reading the minutes OF the last meeting
and filing documents previously overlooked, the
following witnesses examined: Captain JudsOn,
formerly Assistant Adiutant-Genera TO General King;
Havard Stevens. lawyer, OF Boston Major and As
sstant Adiuant- General Of the First Division, Ninth
Corps, 1862; General John GibbonI and John +.
slater, lawyer OF Washington. The Judge-Adyoeate
had appeared. ana he was not prepared 20 go on
further to-day. Adjournment TIL Tomorrow was there
fore had after session OF two hours.