Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1886 — Fitz John Porter’s Style. [ARTICLE]

Fitz John Porter’s Style.

Philadelphia Times: Fitz John Porter was one of the most patriotic and aggressive of the young officers of the army in 1861, when the rebellion began. In the early days of the war, when the first call for troops was made, Porter was on tne staff of General Winfield Scott, and as such was at Harrisburg with Governor Curtin to aid in organizing and forwarding troops. While he w r as there and when the troops were coming in rapidly, the Baltimore eruption came, the gunpowder bridges were burnt and for sevei al days all communication was cut off between the north and Washington. It was declared that no troops could be marched thro’ Baltimore to defend the capital, and the whole north was appalled at a rebellious city halting the advance of soldiers to protect tlieir government. In a consultation held in Gov rnor Curtin’s office, at which General Patterson, Colonel Eitz John Porter, Colonel Thomas A. Scott, Colonel John A. Wright and others were present, the question of forwarding troops to Washington was the theme of discussion. All seemed to be overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation but Porter. He was then a young soldier, but lie had none of the signs of rashness. He had unfaltering rourage, however, and his bright black eyes Hashed as he spoke of Baltimore interrupting the march of troops. With an earnestness and emphasis that none present ever forgot, he said: “I would march the troops through Baltimore or over its ashes to defend the capital.” None who then saw Fitz J ohn Porter ever doubted either his loyalty or his grand soldierly qualities, and the testimony now conclusively proves that the very act for which he was condemned was dictated by the most patriotic and soldierly attributes. He is now vindicated by the unanimous and unqualified judgment of a court of inquiry, by two acts of congress and soon lie will again rank on the army roll as one of the noblest and most unjustly condemned soldiers of the republic.