born Aug. 31, 1822, Portsmouth, N.H., U.S.
died May 21, 1901, Morristown, N.J.
U.S. army officer.
He graduated from West Point and later taught there (1849–55). In the American Civil War he was made a brigadier general of volunteers. In the Second Battle of Bull Run he served under Gen. John Pope , who blamed Porter for the Union's defeat. At his court-martial, Porter claimed that Pope's orders were confusing and impossible to execute, but he was found guilty and cashiered. In 1879 he won a review of his case, which supported his claim of innocence. In 1886 he was reappointed an army officer and placed, at his own request, on the retired list.