Position at Antietam
Commander, Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac (Age 40 at the battle)
Personal
1822-1901 New Hampshire
Nickname:
Born in Portsmouth, NH. Son of Captain John Porter, USN. Cousins were David Farragut and David Dixon Porter. In 1857, he married Harriet Pierson Cook, with whom he had four children: Holbrook, Lucia, Evalina, Robert
Education
West Point Class of 1845, ranked 8th of 41; Classmates: Graduated one year ahead of George McClellan and Stonewall Jackson; Commissioned in the Fourth Artillery
Mexican War
At Molino Del Rey assumed command of his battery when all other officers killed or wounded Severely wounded himself. Brevet promotions at Molino Del Ray and Chapultepec
Other military career highlights
Artillery Instructor and Adjutant at West Point when Robert E. Lee was superintendent, 1849-1855; Transferred to Adjutant General branch and served in various AG positions in the 1850s. Instrumental in 1861 in getting the army’s five artillery batteries out of Texas before capture.
Civilian career highlights
N/A
Civil War
Colonel, 15th Infantry; Chief of Staff to General Patterson during First Bull Run Campaign; Brigadier General commanding a division in the Washington defenses; Commanded Fifth Corps on the Peninsula; Distinguished himself in saving the Army of the Potomac during the Seven Days battles; Commanded Fifth Corps in the Second Manassas Campaign and at Antietam; Relieved of command in November 1862; Court Martialed for dereliction of duty at Second Manassas and cashiered in disgrace from the Army in January 1863.
Postwar
Porter spent the next 23 years fighting to restore his reputation. He finally had a new trial and was exonerated in 1878. Eight years later, Grover Cleveland commuted Porter’s sentence and he was reappointed to the Army by Congress as a Colonel of Infantry on August 5,1886. He retired the next day. During these years, he served in various engineering positions and as Superintendent of the New York Police Department.
Death
May 21, 1901 in Morristown, New Jersey; age 78
Quotes
“Take him for all in all, he was probably the best general officer I had under me. He had excellent ability, sound judgement, and all the instincts of a soldier. He was perfectly familiar with all the details of his duty, an excellent organizer and administrative officer, and one of the most conscientious and laborious men I ever knew. I never found it necessary to do more than give him general instructions, for it was certain that all details would be cared for and nothing neglected. I always knew that an order given to him would be fully carried out, were it morally and physically possible. He was one of the coolest and most imperturbable men in danger whom I ever knew, like all his race.” George B. McClellan
“Porter was the most magnificent soldier in the Army of the Potomac, ruined by his devotion to McC (McClellan).” Presidential secretary John Hay
“I am constantly told that you have no communication or consultation with them [the three corps commanders]; that you consult and communicate with no one but Gen. Fitz-John Porter and perhaps Franklin. I do not say that these complaints are true or just, but at all events it is proper you should know of their existence.” Abraham Lincoln to George McClellan
“I think it my duty to call your attention to the unsoldierly and dangerous conduct.” John Pope in a letter to the War Department accusing Fitz-John Porter of dereliction of duty during the Second Manassas Campaign
“There would be no aggressive action that night or next day should McClellan listen to the advice of Fitz John Porter.” Joseph Hooker
“That Porter was not a strong man, would do well enough with somebody to tell him, but rather timid under responsibility.” Robert E. Lee in an interview with William Allan after the war, describing Fitz John Porter who was his adjutant at West Point.
“He is not a man who talks much…One can rely on what General Porter says. He is very kind and pleasant to me and everyone, but I should not like to do anything he did not like, for I guess anyone who did so would catch a blessing. He is not quick tempered or anything like that, but he has an eye that shows some determination.” Stephen Weld