The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-11
Sketch Of His Life.

In the death Of Admiral David Dixon
Porter the country loses the last Of trio Of
naval commanders who sustained In the
Civil War the finest traditions Of the old
navy. Though far from being alone in this
record of gallantry, the names OF Farragut,
Foote and Porter have q pre-eminence OF
their own.
In every man his ancestors live over again,
and the biography Of David D. Porter begins
In the person Of that David Porter, born in
Boston, 17s0. Five generations Of his family
have served In the navy. Alexander, the
grandfather of Commodore David, COM
manded Boston merchantmen, giving his
aid to the colonies, and his son, Captain
David, the Commodores father, commanded
vessels commissioned by General Washing
tan in the Continental service. Commodore
David Porter's career was distinguished
throughout eliminating perhaps in his
Valparaiso, Chilli. This breach Of neutrality
was O favorite reproach Of Americans
against the British until we found it needful
to follow their example in taking the
Florida.
David Dixon Porter was born in Chester,
Penn, June 8, 1918, and thus lacks a few
months Of completing his seventy eighth
year. David D. had his first experience in
the Mexican service in 1927, being then
fourteen years Of age. In 1929 he was ap-
pointed midshipman in the United States
Navy, and attained his ieutenancy in 1871.
He served during the entire Mexican war,
had charge of the naval rendezvous at New
Orleans, andwas engaged in every action on
the coast.
Afterward he commanded for some years
steamships in the Pacific Mail service be-
tween New York and the Isthmus Of Pana.
ma. At the beginning Of the Civil War he
was appointed to the command Of the frigate
Powhatan, on service In the Gulf. In Far
raguts attack on New Orleans, Porter now
promoted to Commander, commanded the
mortar feet. Farragut having Destroyer
the Confederate feet Of fifteen vessels, left
the reduction of Fort Jackson and Fort St.
| Philip to Porter while he proceeded to the
city. The forts surrendered in April, 1862.
Porter then assisted Farragut in all the lat
ter;s operations between New Orleans and
Viclsburg, where he effectively bombarded
the forts and enabled the fleet to pass IN
safety
For his services at Vicksburg Porter re-
ceived the thanks Of Congress and the COM
mission Of Rear Admiral, dated July 4, 1853,
the date Of the fall Of that town. He ran
past the batteries of Vicksburg and cap
| tured the Confederate forts at Grand Gulf
which put him in communication with Gen
eral Grant. In the spring Of 1854 Porter CO.
/ operated with Banks In the Red River CAM
paign, and later in the sspe year was trans,
ferred to the North Atlantic! Squadron, and
| reduced Fort Fisher, General Terry COM
manding the land forces. Rear Admiral Por-
ter received vote of thanks from Congress,
which was the fourth that he received during
the war.
Rear Admiral Porter was promoted to be
Vice-Admiral on July 25, 1866. served
! awhile as Superintendent Of the Naval
| Academy, and was then transferred to
Washington. On August 15 1870, he was
appointed Admiral Of the Navy, the highest
grade in the service. In 1885 Porter pub
lished "Incidents and Anecdotes Of the Civil
! War;"
He was married in 1889 to Anne Patter-
son. a daughter Of Commodore D. T. Patter-
son. He leaves one son In the Navy, one III
the Marine Corps, besides two others In pri-
vate life and two daughters.