William F. Porter (abt. 1840)

Born about 1840 in Springfield, Washington, Kentucky, United States

Died [date unknown] in United States

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Biography

William Porter is a part of US Black heritage.

Private William Porter served in the United States Civil War.
Side: USA

William F. Porter was born about 1840^[1] in Springfield^[2], Kentucky. He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.

Occupations

• 1863^[1]: Weaver

Residences

• 1863: New Bedford, Massachusetts (military enlistment)^[1]

[People of color in New Bedford] were not restricted as to where they could live; Black men could vote and sit on juries; and their children could attend public schools - liberties denied in almost every other city and town in the North.^[3]

Military Service

During the Civil War, he served as a Private and Musician in Company A of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, the second^[4] regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 23 years old, single and working as a weaver when he enlisted on 10 October 1863 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Mustered out 20 August 1865 with his regiment.^[1]

Note: There is also a William D. Porter in Company A.

Company Remarks

On 24 May 1863, Private Porter was detailed to the Band.^[5]

Research Notes

Raymoure-1 04:12, 13 May 2020 (UTC): Middle initial "F." is used in the Company A Remarks for May 1863.

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Emilio, Roster p. 342
2. ↑ carded military service
3. ↑ Shepard, p. 30
4. ↑ and the first with federal recognition; the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment was against the wishes of the Secretary of War and filled only six companies, but did see action a full year before the 54th
5. ↑ company remarks

• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)
• Fold3.com. “Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served With the United States Colored Troops, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.” Catalog #300398. “Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War, compiled 1890 - 1912, documenting the period 1861 - 1866.”
• Fold3.com. "Records of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (Colored), 1863-1865." National Archives Catalog #577134. "Regimental and Company Books of Civil War Volunteer Union Organizations, compiled 1861 - 1865." Free Access Civil War Records 1-15 April 2018.
• Shepard, Ray Anthony. Now or Never! 54th Massachusetts Infantry's War to End Slavery. Calkins Creek Books: October 2017.