Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-01
A WASHINGTON HERO.
Dr.; Porter's Part in Reno's Rout

The subject of the following sketch from the
Utica n: " Herald was graduate of the
Medical Department. of Georgetown Univer-
slty, and subsequently was resident physician
at The Washington Hospital:
our readers are, at least partially. familiar
Mih II the n Sraye part taken by Dr. Porter
expedition under Mai or Reno against the In
dams ID 1876, and how narrowly he escaped
from the disasters OF the day on the Little B g
Horn But there is much in the thrilling rem
inlscenceS OF the events in which he took part
1uqinlshed py bismarck correspondent of the
MlnneaPoiis Pioneer Press of a recent date,
Whlch Will be read with interest by the many
1liends of DIR. Porter in ceatGa' New York
Inc writer Spea'1s o. HIN as one o. the heroes
who was not remembered in the official re.
ports, ana after Speaking OF the eagernesS Of
Dr. Porter to accompany the command, and
describing the scattering of Reuo's forces,
says:
Porter was by the side of dying soldier.
His orderly and supplies were gone, and the
command was on several hundred yards. He
was alone. Bullets were pruning the trees and
VerSal death: Porter left his last patient and
led his horse to the embankment that protected
the woods: He was startled by Indians dash
ing by him within ten feet. They We're rush
log along the foot of the little bluff. Their ain
was SO direct in the line Of the flying bat alton
tnat POIter.s presence was nnno iced. He was
unarlned. and his powerful black horse reared
ana plunged as IL he was mad. Porter saw the
tate mat was in the immediate future IL that
horse escaped before he was on his back. He
helQ on with superb human strength. He
could hold him, but that was ALL To gain the
saddle seemed forlorn hope. Leap after leap
N Wa the Inc horse quicker than he brief
Die one: One supreme effort, and half in the
saddle the dusky charger bore away his mas
VIM IKE oIo tne VINO ne gained the tu seat and
nlng gauntlet where the chances of death
was thousand to one The Indi ms were quick
hail fell around him. He had no control of ni'
horse 1t was only half mile dash. but it was
wild one. The horse was frenzied. He
reached Is the river in a minute and rushed up
the Dull where Reno had gone and was then
recovering himself The horse and rider were
safe. 1t was destiny. Porter's first remark to
answered Reno. 1T was was Ie' charge "f' Potter
took the hint, but it was charge different
i polI any ne had ever seen or read of.
F FOR associate was killed ant he was acne.
out the 26th, the night of that date until the
forenoon of the q H., Porter worked as few
men are ever called upon to work. He had no
idea that he would get out alive and believed
every man around him was doom d. S ill he
was the same coo. aud >kil!u; surgeon that he
IS to-day He had a dufy to perform that sci
performed il nobiy. He was SUI rounded BY the
cead, dying and wounded. Men were crying
Tor wafer, for help for r,lief, for life. The sun
ing; The air heavy with a hundred SIN ,lS, the
bullets thick. the men falling, and the bluffs
Tor miles black With The juhilant Sava res. Tue
Noin VI 'ho otHolo was ITO IKE IbFier s. lie
must Know no fear. no trembling, and NJ rest.
He had every agonizing sight before his eyes
The afternoon of the Goth, when the Indians
ceased their firm; and began to move off
there We're around ,rIet on the ground fifty
dead and fifty wounded. O.e il every three
was ell her Killed OF manned. know little o.
hospital his DRY, but doubt if there is m lch
that oversliad0ws POrters experience upon
the bluff overl, oking the Little Big Horn If
had the genius of Buchanan Reid | would
W. ave il into song more heroic than Sleri
dams Ride.
OF the doctors service during the passage
OF the steamer Far West down the river with
wounded. the writer says: There were
Wounds OF every character, and men more
dead than alive. The suffering was not termi-
mated with the removal from the field to the
hOi Ell deck. 1t continued aud ended in death
more than once before Fort Lincoln was
called. Here again the son of n Y. Mills, of
e Empire state, was tested. Porter watched
OF fifty four hours He stood tn test"