Readville, Mass., Jan. 21, '63.
. . . As for Porter's case: — the evidence leaves little
doubt that Porter got “demoralized,” not more, probably, than you or I would
have under the circumstances — but still dangerously “demoralized.” He heard
Pope say the enemy was here, or there, or in a bag, and always found it quite
to the contrary, and unconsciously he said, “This is not war, this is chance, I
cannot do anything here,” and he rather let things slide. He was no worse than
twenty thousand others, but his frame of mind was un-officer-like and
dangerous. This sort of feeling was growing in the army, and the Government and
the Country felt that it must be stopped. Porter was made the example.1
I am very very sorry for him, and shall always treat him personally with as
much regard as ever; but I accept the lesson, and do not propose to be
demoralized myself, or let any of my friends be, if I can help it. . . . I think good and brave people are wanted
at home now more than in the army.
I was going to end there and sign "yours truly,"
but on looking over what I had written I thought it might give you the
impression that I felt disappointed about the state of public opinion here. Not
at all. In December I had begun to feel quite disheartened, but within a few
weeks I think I have noticed a change. People are waking to the fact that this
is a war which concerns them, that whether we have leaders or no, there is
something for every man to do. They are beginning to think and look about, and
correspondingly others are beginning to think and look about how to instruct
the people. This is difficult. You will be surprised to notice how entirely
some men, whom we had relied upon, are lacking in public spirit, and how others
shine out, whom we had overlooked. I find myself judging men entirely now by
their standard of public spirit. It is of course partial and unfair so far as
individuals are concerned, but in a time like this, one naturally refers everything
and everybody to its or his effect upon the State.
Good-bye, old fellow, and a speedy raid.
_______________
1 Major-General Fitz John Porter, comroanding the
Fifth Army Corps, an officer of excellent record in the Peninsular Campaign,
was accused by General Pope of disobedience to his orders before and during the
battles near Manassas, August 28 and 29, 1862. A court-martial found him
guilty. After the war, when the excitement had subsided, President Hayes
convened a board of officers of high character and ability, who were free from
personal relations to that campaign, Major-General Schofield, Brigadier-General
Terry, and Colonel Getty. After a careful and patient examination of the case,
including much new and important evidence which could not be procured at the
time of the court-martial, this board completely exonerated General Porter from
the charges on which the court-martial had found him guilty.
SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of
Charles Russell Lowell, p. 231-2, 412-3
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