Description:

Fitz John Porter
Washington, DC, ca. 1882-1883
Fitz John Porter Clears Name from Bull Run Controversy!
ALS

Historically significant grouping of ALSs tied to the long-running effort to overturn the Civil War court-martial conviction of Union General Fitz John Porter. On January 7, 1882, Attorney General Benjamin Harris Brewster wrote on Department of Justice letterhead acknowledging receipt of materials in the case of General Fitz John Porter and requesting a printed copy of Charles O'Conor's legal opinion should the matter formally come before him, prompting O'Conor's January 20, 1882 draft response, heavily revised with cross-outs, carefully advocating Porter's cause while referencing British commentary and political considerations. The sequence concludes with Fitz John Porter's own signed letter of January 8, 1883, written from New York, in which he reflects on favorable British parliamentary interest, addresses critics, and expresses steadfast confidence in his long campaign to clear his name. Some toning to the group, remnants of prior mounting on both pieces. Each measures 5" x 8."

The grouping begins with an Autograph Letter Signed by Benjamin Harris Brewster, written on official Department of Justice, Washington letterhead and dated January 7, 1882. In this letter, Brewster acknowledges receipt of "Opinions and Memorials in the case of General Fitz John Porter" and respectfully requests a printed copy of Charles O'Conor's legal opinion, noting it would be of great service should the matter formally come before him. Within that letter, is a draft letter by famed constitutional lawyer Charles O'Conor, dated January 20, 1882, written in response to Brewster. The heavily revised manuscript contains numerous cross-outs and editorial changes, revealing O'Conor's careful legal reasoning as he advocates for Porter's cause. The draft references British commentary and political considerations, underscoring the international attention and reputational implications surrounding the case.

Highlighting the group is an ALS written by Fitz John Porter, dated New York, January 8, 1883. In this reflective and determined correspondence, Porter discusses developments abroad, including British parliamentary interest and committee findings reported in his favor. He references critics and political opponents, asserting confidence that the truth of his case is known despite resistance. The letter provides a deeply personal perspective on his decades-long effort to clear his name.
Fitz John Porter, a Union general during the American Civil War, was court-martialed in 1863 for alleged misconduct at the Second Battle of Bull Run. Many contemporaries, including prominent legal and political figures, later believed the conviction to have been unjust and politically motivated. For more than two decades, Porter and his supporters worked to secure a formal reversal of the judgment.

By 1882–1883, the case had reached renewed federal scrutiny. Benjamin Harris Brewster, serving as Attorney General under President Chester A. Arthur, was positioned to review materials submitted on Porter's behalf. Charles O'Conor, one of the nation's most respected constitutional lawyers, played a key role in presenting legal arguments challenging the validity of the original court-martial findings. Porter's own correspondence reflects both the emotional toll and the strategic international advocacy involved in his campaign for vindication. The effort ultimately succeeded when Congress restored Porter to the Army in 1886, formally clearing his name.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5" x 8"
  • Medium: ALS

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