Peter Augustus Porter (1827 - 1864)

Born 14 Jul 1827 in Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Cabell Preston (Breckenridge) Porter — married 30 Mar 1852 in Halifax, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 3 Jun 1864 at age 36 in Hanover Parish, Richmond, Virginia, United States

Biography

Col. Peter Porter served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 1861
Mustered out: 3 Jun 1864 (KIA)
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 129th New York Infantry; 8th New York Heavy Artillery

Col. Peter Augustus Porter was born 14 July 1827 at Black Rock, Erie County, New York. He was the son of Peter Buell Porter and Letitia Breckinridge.^[1]

After preparatory education he graduated from Harvard College in 1845, later going to Germany where he studied at the universities of Heidelberg and Breslau until 1849. On his return to the United States until the beginning of the Civil War, he took an active part in the business and social life of Niagara Falls.

In 1850, Peter A Porter and his sister Elizabeth L. Porter were recorded in the U.S. Census living in Niagara, New York. In addition, George W and Caroline Hawley were living with them. Peter's occupation was recorded as Gentlemen.^[2]

Peter was married 30 March 1852 in Halifax County, North Carolina, to Mary "Polly" Cabell Preston Breckenridge ^[3], daughter of Rev. John Breckenridge, and Margaret Miller. They had a son, Peter A. Porter.

His wife, Mary died 4 August 1854, and on 9 November 1859, Col. Porter married Josephine M. Morris, daughter of George Morris. Their children were Laetitia H. Porter and George M. Porter.

In 1861 he was elected a member of the New York Legislature, and the same year, after he had joined the army, was tendered the nomination of his party for Secretary of State.

Military

The military career of Col. Porter began in 1861, when he raised a regiment which was organized as the 129th New York Volunteer Infantry. In 1863 it became the 8th New York Heavy Artillery, of which he was commissioned Colonel. At his earnest solicitation he was sent with his troops to the front in 1864, the regiment being incorporated with the Army of the Potomac, under General Grant, and took part in all the battles of the Wilderness campaign, and Cold Harbor. In this terrible battle Col. Porter met his death. He fell pierced by six bullets, while gallantly leading his regiment up to the rebel entrenchments. For two days Col. Porter's body lay in front of the enemy's works, and could not be recovered. On the second night five brave soldiers of his command bore back his remains to the Union lines.

Sources

1. ↑ Brown, Alexander. The Cabells and Their Kin. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Company, 1895. Page 489
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCBK-9Y3 : 12 April 2016), Peter A Porter, Niagara, Niagara, New York, United States; citing family 87, NARA microfilm publication M432.
3. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XFSW-CZY : 4 November 2017), Peter A Porter and Polly C Breckenridge, 30 Mar 1852; citing Halifax, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 1,002,775.

• Memorial and Family History of Erie County, New York, Volume I, Biographical and Genealogical Illustrated. New York, Buffalo: The Genealogical Publishing Company, 1906 Link