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
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Lt. Benjamin Porter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lt. Benjamin Porter. Show all posts
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
US Navy Lt. Benjamin H. Porter Killed at Fort Fisher
I came across a blog from St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneatelas, NY, which was about an 1888 plaque put up honoring the sons of the church who had given their lives during the Civil War. One of them was 20 year-old US Navy Lt. Benjamin H. Porter, 1845-1865, who was killed while leading sailors and marines at Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.
He was the second son of James Gurdon Porter to be killed in the war. That had to be especially hard on the family.
There was also a Porter window in the church to honor the two sons who died. It was placed in storage in 1959 to make way for a doorway to the new parish hall. At some time after that, someone removed it and no one knows where it is today. If anyone knows its location they are supposed to contact the church.
I'll do some more research on Lt. Porter. Was he related to the naval leader of the Fort Fisher Expedition, Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter?
A Very Interesting Story. --Blockade-Runner
He was the second son of James Gurdon Porter to be killed in the war. That had to be especially hard on the family.
There was also a Porter window in the church to honor the two sons who died. It was placed in storage in 1959 to make way for a doorway to the new parish hall. At some time after that, someone removed it and no one knows where it is today. If anyone knows its location they are supposed to contact the church.
I'll do some more research on Lt. Porter. Was he related to the naval leader of the Fort Fisher Expedition, Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter?
A Very Interesting Story. --Blockade-Runner
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