The National tribune., 1890-06-19
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What0ur Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
Review OF Commodore W. n. POrter's Military and
Naval achievements.
THE PORTERS.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: So many
throughout the country fail TO discriminate be.
tween the late Commodore William ID. Porter
and his esteemed brother, Admiral d. ID. Porter,
attributinC the achievements OF the former 10
the latter. that il becomes necessary in the in
terest Of justice FOR the discrimination TO be
made, aud thus set forever at rest the doubts
or confusion that have existed or may arise.
That such confusion exists no one CONVEX
SAINT with the facts attempts to deny; and that
II partially arises from the fact that during the
rebellion the intrepid spirit of Commodore
Porter was called TO join the greater army
above thus lesseniuE the chances OF keepin g
ms achievements and memory alive, especially
IN the minds Of the rising generation.
lt is safe also 10 say that many soldiers to-
day cannot or do not discriminate between the
exploits Of the two men; hence il becomes
more Of duty 10 make the distinction, for if
soldiers are at a loss the general public must
be more so; and without touching upon the
life aud career of Admiral ID. ID. Porter the
writer confines himself 70 the subject Of this
review, Closing this preface with brief biog-
raphy Of the poriers SO renowned in the his
tory OF our country.
In the Revolution of l776 there were two
brothers, David and Samuel, who received COM
missions from the Continental Congress rs Cap
talns, and were employed 10 command vessels
for the purpose Of cutting of supplies from the
until Samuel Porter was wounded and captured
by superior force and transferred 10 the Jer-
sey prison-ship, where, some time after David,
also being captured Was sent, and there wit
messed has brothers death, and obtained per-
mission 10 bury him. after which he escaped in
Water-cask, and served faithfully through the
Revolutionary war.
be had two sons David and John, both en-
tering the Navy Of the United States in the
war OF 1872 John died as a Commander, at
Matcrtown, Mass, and his brother David
raised for himself imperishable fame rs the
brave defender Of the Essex of 1912; in the
Irip0litan war under Prcbie in the French
difficulties under TruxtOn in putting down the
pirates OF the West Indies in the years 1921,
-, p and "a During the Mexican war of in
dependence he commanded the navy of Mexico,
and returning thence, Gen. jackson, then
President, appointed him Consul General to
BarDary, and subsequently Charge d Afiaires at
Constantnople. Mr.. Van Buren, afterward ele-
waited him 10 Minister Resident at that city,
IN which Office he remained until his death.
The Commodore has six sons-William d..
the subject OF this sketch and the eldest:
David ID. Porter, who az the commencement
OF our late rebellion was appointed Com
mauder Of the steam slo0p-of-war Powhatan
distinguished himself az the CAPTURE of New
Orleans and Of Yicksburg, was created Rear
Admiral, and At the termination Of the war
President ex-oficio Of the U. S. Naval Acade-
my, Annapolis; in 1866 Nice-Admiral, aud in
$50 Admiral, rank which carries with ii the
command Of the whole United States Navy
subject only to the President Henry o. POr-
Ter, Lieutenant, L. S. Navy. who distinguished
himself Ia the Gulf Of Mexico Jan. !, 1868 in
the attack Of the Hatteras on the rebel ram
Alabama, and as an army volunteer was en-
gagged throughout the Mexican war, and was
also prominent ia the Nicaragua expedition.
his other sons. Lieut.. Thomas Porter, was
wounded and died in Mexico; Lieut.. Theo-
oorlc Porter. L. s. Army was killed at Palo
Alto, Mexico, and Lieut. Hamilton f. Porter
died In service on board the T. s. Schooner
tilrt. II thus appears that all the Porters, ex-
eeptlng Admiral ID. d., have given up their
lives serving their country, being Of daring
blue-biood stock, patriotic TO the core.
II Commodore William ID. Porter was alive
to-day, 70 defend has honors as well as be de-
Tended his country, this review Of his achieve
meuts would not be necessary-they would be
fully recognized. That great injustice has been
done him cannot he tTuthfully denied, in what
manner his enemies best know.
Ia January, I523, be was appointed Midship-
Dani Passed Midshipman March % 1929;
Acting Master, March 10, 1890; Lieutenant
Dec. q, 1888; Commander, Jan. 6, 1853; Com
mOdore Aug. 4, 1862.
he participated IN the following engage
nents: Mexican war, 1876, ~: Panama riot
1850: engaged and disabled four rebel gun
boats at Lucus Bend, Mississippi River, Jan IL,
1862 Al Fort Henry, Feb. 9, 1862; attacked
the TaEn Arkansas and forts at Vicksburg, July
=, l5G2; Baton Rouge, Aug. 5, 1862; attacked
and blew up the rebel ram Arkansas Aug. g.
1852; Bombarded Natchez, Sept 2 1862: at
tackled Ficksburg batteries, Sept. ), 1852, and
Port Hudson, Sept. T. 1862
The following are excerpts from letters writ
ten his little adopted daughter, then about IL
years Or age, then az the Visitation Convent
Ct. Louis, whom he loved very dearly, and in
yariabiy addressed as " Ny darling child"
These letters cannot be aught but truthful
illustrations Of the exciting scenes through
which be passed, and giving his opinions Of the
war. Whether they arc Of any value in estab-
Ashing ms identity as a naval officer, whose
achievements are second 70 none, and must so
90 down IL history, the public will Judge
NO better ILLUSTRATION Of his unb0uuded az
lection for his adopted daughter. Sue C. Porter.
Is needed than the following, written at st.
Louis Sept. "a, 1861:
ana now growing old and should Hose
you lie would be burden 10 me. Nv whole
alectloil ls ceHtcFed IA you, and look forward TO
tho day wien shall have the pleasure Of seeing
you well-eo ucated, intelligent young lady; but
1ealtA = a. important a. anything else so my
Darling do all you can 10 keep yourself Ia good
health al 81 times.
This excerpt as will be seen, Is taken from
letter written ia battle, and takes US into the
midst Of war:
AEAH CAIRO, Jan. y, 1852,
OUsE0AT EssEx.
MYDAELzsG CHILD: was some days ago ordered
% THIS place lFor JedersOuJ protect the landing
q ls.yJJ troops. The RuHbOat St. Louis was also
Will ine. Tuesday three rebel gunboats heavily
eriBe1 came ~ tie Tlver from Columbus We Inn
nleaiaieiy Eot under way and went down the river
b meet them When within a short distance 4
offered them battle and they boldly accented mo
enemy and AZ went al IL pretty strongly. and ne
battle lasted Tor one hour. he cFiuBled two ~
Their Doals, and drove them under their urUeT
batteries - Columbus which fred al Us We Itasy,,,,
utcs drove the boats down the river aud slIeured
TIE batteries thus gaining complete victory ,,fis
Cut tie lose 81 4 man.
This next was written four days after.
by DAfIIEG CHILD: Your most alccfigrate md
welcome setter reached me yesterday while 1 yyas
3d. battle aud read u while shells were 5uFstirs,
and Eisot wl4istliug around me. You tberef,rf 80
since last wrote ] nave been ia auotbcr 49,
lnc came III victorious. This weasel and tic 81
1SOu3a Elleed tie batteries IL Columbus and dr..
fbe rebels from them. Al night we returned 4,
thiE place, Cairo.
This next takes rs over lapse Of SIX EaoptIs
and is dated July 10 l562 On board the Essex'
near Eicksburg:
We have passed through terrible fight Yestcr.
day al lronclad rebel guuboat came ont a. ~
Waco River aud passed the whole feet and gof
hale!s down - Rlcksburg. As she passed my sim
fhs opened IRE and ! returned IL stFlkiUsy bGr
several times, neither receiving damage -
Tic GarOBdeict Capt Walker IA All cilt A., ga,.s.
elgil men l4l4sc and - wounded The Tayior h.d
eight killed aHd - wounded. The ram IauTssts.r
was blown up aud 10 men scalded
nc sei4E were hying over my vessel until "a late
hour last night. '~'"
The following is taken from letter written
below glcksburR six days after, showing ,yI,af
A. ia HFea