GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 18. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, January 22, 1863. 
I..Before a General Court Martial, which convened in the city of 
Washington, D. C., November 27, 1862, pursuant to “Special Orders,” 
No. 362, dated Headquarters of the Army, November 25, 1862, and of 
which Major General D. Hunter, U. S. Volunteers, is President, was 
arraigned and tried— 
Major General Fitz-John Porter, U. S, Volunteers. 
Charge 1st.—“Violation of the 9th Article of War.” 
Specification 1st—“ In this; that the said Major General Fitz-John Porter, 
of the Volunteers of the United States, having received a lawful 
order, on or about the 27th August, 1862, while at or near War- 
renton Junction, in Virginia, from Major General John Pope, 
his superior and Commanding Officer, in the following figures 
and letters, to wit: 
‘Headquarters Army or Virginia, 
‘August 27, 1862, 6.39 p■ m., 
‘ Bristow Station. 
‘ Major General F. J. Porter, 
Warrenton Junction. 
1 General: The Major General Commanding directs that you 
start at one o’clock to-night and come forward with your whole 
corps, or such part of it as is with you, so as to be here by day- 
light to-morrow morning. Hooker has had a very severe action 
with the enemy, with a loss of about three hundred killed and 
wounded The enemy has been driven back, but is retiring 
along the railroad. We must drive him from Manassas, and 
clear the country between that place and Gainesville, where 
McDowell is. If Morell has not joined you, send word to him 
to push forward immediately; also send word to Banks to hurry 
forward with all speed, to take your place at Warrenton Junction. 
It is necessary, on all accounts, that you should be here by day- 
light. I send an officer with this despatch, who will conduct 
you to this place. Be sure to send word to Banks, who is on 
the road from Fayetteville, probably in the direction of Bealton. 
Say to Banks, also, that he had best run back the railroad train 2 
to this side of Cedar Run. If he is not with you, write him to 
to that effect. 
‘ By command of Major General Pope: 
(Signed) ‘ GEO. D. RUGGLES, 
. ‘ Colonel and Chief of Staff. 
rP. S.—If Banks is not at Warrenton Junction, leave a regi- 
ment of infantry and two pieces of artillery, as a guard till he 
comes up, with instructions to follow you immediately. If 
Banks is not at the Junction, instruct Colonel Clan- to run the 
trains back to this side of Cedar Run, and post a regiment and 
section of artillery with it 
‘ By command of Major General Pope: 
(Signed) ‘ ‘GEO. D. RUGGLES, 
‘Colonel and Chief of Staff.' 
Lid then and there disobey the said order, being at the time in 
the face of the enemy. This at or near Warrenton, in the State 
of Virginia, on or about the 28th of August, 1862.” 
Specification 2d—“ In this: that the said Major General Fitz-John Porter, 
being in front of the enemy, at Manassas, Virginia, on or about 
the morning of August 29, 1862, did receive from Major General 
John Pope, his superior and Commanding Officer, a lawful 
order, in the following letters and figures, to wit: 
* Headquarters Army of Virginia, 
‘ Centreville, August 29, 1862. 
‘Generals McDowell and Porter: 
‘You will please move forward with your joint commands 
towards Gainesville. I sent General Porter written orders to 
that effect an hour and a half ago. Heintzelman, Sigel, and 
Reno are moving on the Warrenton turnpike, and must now be 
not far from Gainesville. I desire that, as soon as communica- 
tion is established between this force and your own, the whole 
command shall halt. It may be necessary to fall back behind 
Bull Run at Centreville to-night. I presume it will be so on 
account of our supplies. I have sent no orders of any descrip- 
tion to Ricketts, and none to interfere in any way with the 
movements of McDowell’s troops, except what I sent by his 
Aide-de-Camp last night, which were to hold his position on the Wnrrenton pike until the troops from here should fall on the 
enetn}r’s flank and rear. I do not even know Ricketts’ position, 
as I have not been able to find out where General McDowell 
was until a late hour this morning. General McDowell will 
take immediate steps to communicate with General Ricketts, 
and instruct him to join the other divisions of his corps as soon 
as practicable. If any considerable advantages are to be gained 
by departing from this order, it will not be strictly carried out. 
One thing must be held in view: that the troops must occupy a 
position from which they can reach Bull Run to-night or by 
morning. The indications are that the whole force of the enemy 
is moving in this direction at a pace that Will bring them here 
by to-morrow night or the next day. My own headquarters will 
for the present be with Heintzelman’s corps, or at this place. 
(Signed) ‘JOHN POPE, 
‘ Major General Commanding.' 
Which order the said Major General Porter did then and there 
disobey. This at or near Manassas, in the State of Virginia, on 
or about the 29th of August, 1862.” 
Specification 3d—“In this; that the said Major General Fitz-John 
Porter, having been in front of the enemy during the battle of 
Manassas, on Friday, the 29th of August, 1862, did on that day 
receive from Major General John Pope, his superior and Com- 
manding Officer, a lawful order, in the following letters and 
figures, to wit: 
‘ Headquarters in the Field, 
‘August 29, 1862, 4.30 p. m. 
‘ Major General Porter: 
‘Your line of march brings you in on the enemy’s right flank. 
I desire you to push forward into action at once on the enemy’s 
flank, and, if possible, on his rear, keeping your right in 
communication with General Reynolds. The enemy is massed 
in the woods in front of us, but can be shelled out as soon as 
you engage their flank Keep heavy reserves, and use your bat- 
teries, keeping well closed t<t your right all the time. In case 
you are obliged to fall back, do so to your right and rear, so as 
to keep you in close communication with the right wino-. 
(Signed) ‘JOHN POPE,° 
‘ Major General Commanding.' 4 
Which said order the said Major General Porter did then and 
there disobey, and did fail to push forward his forces into action 
either on the enemy’s flank or rear, and in all other respects did 
fail to obey said order. This at or near Manassas, in the State 
of Virginia, on or about the 29th of August, J862.” 
Specification 4th—“In that the said Major General Fitz-John Por- 
ter, being at or near Manassas Junction on the night of 29th 
August, 1862, did receive from Major General John Pope, his 
superior and Commanding Officer, a lawful order, in figures and 
words as follows, to wit: 
‘Headquarters Army of Virginia, 
1 In the field, near Bull Pun, 
‘ August 29, 1862, 8.50 p. m. 
‘Major General F. J. Porter: 
‘ General : Immediately upon receipt of this order, the precise 
hour of receiving which you will acknowledge, you will march 
your command to the field of battle of to-day, and report to me 
in person for orders. You are to understand that you are expected 
to comply strictly with this order, and to be present ou the field 
within thre6 hours after its reception, or after daybreak to-morrow 
morning. 
(Signed) ‘JOHN POPE, 
‘ Major General Commanding.' 
And the said Major General Fitz-John Porter did then and 
there disobey the said order, and did permit one of the brigades 
of his command to march to Centreville—out of the way of the 
field of battle—and there to remain during the entire day of 
Saturday, the 30th of August. This at or near Manassas Station, 
in the State of Virginia, on the 29th and 30th days of August, 
1862.” 
Specification 5th—“In this; that the said Major General Fitz-John 
Porter, being at or near Manassas Station, in the State of Vir- 
ginia, on the night of the 29th August, 1862, and having 
received from his superior Commanding Officer, Major General 
John Pope, the lawful order set forth in specification fourth to 
this charge, did then and there disobey the same, and did permit 5 
one other brigade attached to his command—being the brigade 
commanded by Brigadier General A. S. Piatt—to march to Cen- 
treville, and did thereby greatly delay the arrival of the said Gen- 
eral Piatt’s brigade on the field of battle of Manassas, on Saturday, 
the 30th August, 1862. This at or near Manassas, in the State 
of Virginia, on or about the 29th day of August, 1862.” 
Charge 2d.—‘‘Violation of the 52d Article of War.” 
Specification 1st—“In this; that the said Major General Fitz-John 
Porter, during the battle of Manassas, on Friday the 29th 
August, 1862, and while within sight of the field, and in full 
hearing of its artillery, did receive from Major General John 
Pope, his superior and Commanding Officer, a lawful order to 
attack the enemy, in the following figures and letters, to wit: 
‘ Headquarters in the Field, 
‘ August 29, 1862, 4.30 p. m. 
‘Major General Porter: 
‘Your line of march brings you in on the enemy’s right flank. 
I desire you to push forward into action at once on the enemy’s 
flank, and if possible on his rear, keeping your right in commu- 
nication with General Reynolds. The enemy is massed in the 
woods in front of us, but can be shelled out as soon as you engage 
their flank. Keep heavy reserves, and use your batteries, keep- 
ing well closed to your right all the time. In case you are 
obliged to fall back, do so to your right and rear, so as to keep 
you in close communication with the right wing. 
(Signed) _ ‘JOHN POPE. 
‘ Major General Commanding. ’ 
Which said order the said Major General Porter did then and 
there shamefully disobey, and did retreat from advancing forces 
of the enemy without any attempt to engage them, or to aid the 
troops who were already fighting greatly superior numbers, and 
were relying on tbe flank attack he was thus ordered to make 
to secure a decisive victory, and to capture the enemy’s army, a 
result which must have followed from said flank attack, had it 
been made by tbe said General Porter in compliance with the 
said order, which he so shamefully disobeyed. This at or near Manassas, iu the State of Virginia, on or about the 29th of 
August, 1862.” 
Specification 2d—“In this; that the said Major General htz-John 
Porter, being with his Army Corps on Friday, the 29th August, 
1862, between Manassas Station and the held of a battle then 
pending between the forces of the United States and those ot 
the rebels, and within sound of the guns and in the presence of 
the enemy, and knowing that a severe action of great conse- 
quence was being f night, and that the aid of his corps rvas 
greatly needed, did fail all day to bring it on to the field, and 
did shamefully fall back and retreat from the advance of the 
enemy without any attempt to give them battle, and without 
knowing the forces from which he shamefully retreated. This 
near Manassas Station, in the State of Virginia, on the 29th of 
August, 1862.” 
Specification 3d—“ Iu that the said Major General Fitz-John Porter, 
being with his Army Corps near the field of battle of Manassas, 
on the 29th August, 1862, while a severe action was being fought 
by the troops of Major General Pope’s command, and being in 
the belief that the troops of the said general Pope were sustain- 
ing defeat and retiring from the field, did shamefully fail to go 
to the aid of the said troops and general, and did shamefully 
retreat away and fall back with his army to the Manassas 
.Junction, and leave to the disasters of a presumed defeat the 
said army; and did fail, by any attempt to attack the enemy, to 
aid in averting the misfortunes of a disaster that would have 
endangered the safety of the capital of the country. This at or 
near Manassas Station, in the State of Virginia, on the 29th day 
of August, 1862.” 
Specification 4th—“In this; that the said Major General Fitz-John Por- 
ter, on the field of battle of Manassas, on Saturday, the 30th 
August, 1862, having received a lawful order from his superior 
officer and Commanding General, Major General John Pope, to 
engage the enemy’s lines and to carry a position near their 
centre, and, to take an annoying battery there posted, did pro- 
ceed in the execution of that order with unnecessary slowness, 
and by delays give the enemy opportunities to watch and know 
his movements, and to prepare to meet his attack; and did finally 7 
so feebly fall upon the enemy’s lines as to make little or no im- 
pression on the same, and did fall back and draw away his 
forces unnecessarily, and without making any of the great per- 
sonal efforts to rally his troops or to keep their lines, or to inspire 
his troops to meet the sacrifices and to make the resistance 
demanded by the importance of his position, and the momentous 
consequences and disasters of a retreat at so critical a juncture 
of the day.” 
To which charges and specifications the accused, Major General Fitz- 
John Porter, U. S. Volunteers, pleaded as follows: 
Charge First. 
To Specification 1st, “Not Guilty.” 
To Specification 2d, “Not Guilty.” 
To Specification 3d, “Not Guilty.” 
To Specification 4th, “Not Guilty.” 
To Specification 5th, “Not Guilty.” 
And to the Charge, “Not Guilty.” 
Charge Second. 
To Specification 1st, “Not Guilty.” 
To Specification 2d, “Not Guilty.” 
To Specification 3d, “Not Guilty.” 
And to the Charge, '“Not Guilty.” 
Finding. 
The Court, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds 
the accused, Major General Fitz-John Porter, of United States Volun- 
teers, as follows: 
Charge First. 
Of the 1st Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the 2d Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the 3d Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the 4th Specification, “Not Guilty.” 
Of the 5th Specification, “Not Guilty.” 
Of the 1st Charge, “Guilty.” 
Charge Second. 
Of the 1st Specification, “ Guilty, except so much of the specification 
as implies that he, the accused, ‘did retreat from advancing forces of 8 
the enemy,’ after the receipt of the order set forth in said speci- 
fication.” 
Of the 2d Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the 3d Specification, “Guilty, except the words ‘to the Manassas 
Junction.’ ” 
Of the 2d Charge, “ Guilty.” 
Sentence. 
And the Court does therefore sentence him, Major General Fitz-John 
Porter, of the United States Volunteers, “ To be cashiered, and to be 
forever disqualified from holding any office of trust or profit under the 
Government of the United States." 
11.. 1n compliance with the 65th of the Rules and Articles of War, 
the whole proceedings of the General Court Martial in the foregoing 
case have been transmitted to the Secretary of War, and by him laid 
before the President of the United States. 
The following are the orders of the President: 
The foregoing proceedings, findings, and sentence in the foregoing 
case of Major General Fitz-John Porter, are approved and confirmed; 
and it is ordered that the said Fitz-John Porter be, and he hereby is, 
cashiered and dismissed from the service of the United States as a 
Major General of Volunteers, and as Colonel and Brevet Brigadier 
General in the Regular Service of the United States, and forever dis- 
qualified from holding any office of trust or profit under the Govern- 
ment of the United States. 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
January 21, 1863. 
111.. The General Court Martial, of which Major General Hunter is 
President, is hereby dissolved. 
By order of the Secretary of War: 
L. THOMAS, 
Adjutant General. 
Official : 
Assistant Adjutant General