I continued researching and found out that his father, James Gurdon Porter, was a merchant, carriage-maker and a member of the original fire department in Skaneatelas, NY. He was born in 1808 and became quite prosperous before dying in 1855. Fortunately, he did not have to see his two sons die, but that had to have been hard on his mother.
There is a tablet on the church's east wall honoring both Benjamin and Stanley who were killed in the Civil War. Stanley was killed at the Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manasses as it is called in the south. His body was never found.
Lt. Benjamin Porter was only 20 at the time of his death. Even with that, he was commander of the 12 gun USS Malvern, which served as Admiral David Dixon Porter's (no relation) flagship at the Battles of Fort Fisher. Lt. Porter volunteered to lead a detachment from the Malvern for the naval assault along the beach at the Fort Fisher salient.
He had just been released after being captured at Fort Sumter. He could have gone home to recover and rest, but volunteered to return to duty immediately.
A total of 35 Medals of Honor were awarded the sailors and marines in the attack on Fort Fisher.
More to Come. --Blockade-Runner
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