George A. Porterfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George A. Porterfield
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| Born | November 24, 1822 Berkeley County, Virginia |
| Died | February 27, 1919 (aged 96) Martinsburg, West Virginia |
| Buried |
Greenhill Cemetery
Martinsburg, West Virginia |
| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848 (USA) 1861–1862 (CSA) |
| Rank |  First Lieutenant (USA) Colonel (CSA) |
| Unit |  1st Virginia Regiment (USA) |
| Commands held | 25th Virginia Infantry (CSA) |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Relations | James B. Terrill (brother-in-law) William R. Terrill (brother-in-law) |
| Other work | Banker |
George Alexander Porterfield (born November 24, 1822 – died February 27, 1919) was an American soldier and banker. He served as a junior officer for the United States during the Mexican–American War. Later, he became a colonel in the Confederate States Army at the start of the American Civil War. After the war, he worked as a banker in Charles Town, West Virginia.
Porterfield was in charge of Confederate troops at Philippi in what was then northwestern Virginia. His forces were surprised and defeated by Union Army soldiers on June 3, 1861. This happened early in the Civil War. After this, he served in other roles for about a year. He then left the Confederate Army. In 1871, he helped start a bank in Charles Town, West Virginia. He worked there for many years. When he died, he was one of the last surviving officers from the Mexican–American War.
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Early Life and Military Beginnings
George Alexander Porterfield was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, on November 24, 1822. His family had a history of military service. His grandfather was a captain in the American Revolutionary War. His father fought in the War of 1812.
Porterfield graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1844. In May 1846, he helped create the first group of Virginia volunteers for the Mexican–American War. He was chosen as a first lieutenant. In Mexico, he quickly moved up in rank. He became an assistant to generals in his brigade and division.
After the war, he worked as an editor for the Martinsburg Gazette newspaper. He also taught for a while. He then worked for the U.S. Coast Survey in Washington, D.C. In 1855, he returned to Jefferson County to become a farmer. He was living on his farm when the Civil War started.
On July 9, 1849, George Porterfield married Emily Cornelia Terrill. Her father was a lawyer and politician. Emily's brothers also served in the military during the Civil War. Two of her brothers, James Barbour Terrill and William Rufus Terrill, became generals. Sadly, all three of her military brothers died during the war. George and Emily Porterfield had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Their son John later joined George in the banking business.
Service in the American Civil War
Leading Forces in Western Virginia
In April 1861, Virginia decided to leave the Union. The state's governor, John Letcher, began forming an army. He appointed Robert E. Lee to lead Virginia's forces. These forces worked closely with the new Confederate States of America.
George Porterfield was made a colonel and inspector general. On May 4, 1861, General Lee ordered Porterfield to gather troops in Grafton, in western Virginia. His job was to protect the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. When Porterfield arrived in Grafton on May 14, he found that most people there supported the Union. He also found very few Confederate soldiers.
Porterfield moved his base to Fetterman, a few miles north of Grafton. He learned that the few volunteer companies in the area had poor weapons. He told leaders in Richmond that he needed more soldiers and supplies. However, Virginia's leaders did not want to send many troops to western Virginia at that time.
On May 25, Porterfield moved his small force into Grafton. He soon realized his position was not safe. He decided to burn two railroad bridges to slow down Union forces. On May 28, Porterfield moved his troops to Philippi, about 30 miles south of Grafton. Philippi was a town that strongly supported the Confederacy. He had about 550 poorly armed men. Union forces, led by George B. McClellan, were moving towards Grafton.
The Battle of Philippi
On June 2, 1861, Union generals sent two groups of soldiers to attack Porterfield's Confederates at Philippi. Early on June 3, 1861, the larger Union force surprised the Confederates. Most of Porterfield's men were still asleep in their tents. The Confederate guards were not well placed, and it was a rainy night.
When the attack began, the Confederates fired a few shots. But they quickly ran away in a panic, leaving most of their supplies. Only a few soldiers were hurt, and some Confederates were captured. This quick retreat became known as the "Philippi Races." Porterfield and his remaining men regrouped and retreated to Beverly, about 30 miles south.
After the Philippi Battle
Porterfield was blamed for the defeat at Philippi. He asked for an official review of what happened. The review concluded that he had guards on duty. It also said that many of his men left the field in an orderly way. It noted that Porterfield was already planning to leave Philippi because he knew he was in danger.
General Lee decided that Porterfield deserved a warning for not being fully ready. On June 13, 1861, Porterfield was replaced as commander in western Virginia by Robert S. Garnett. Porterfield remained in charge of troops at Beverly. General Garnett's forces later suffered an even bigger defeat at the Battle of Rich Mountain. Garnett himself was killed two days later, becoming the first general to die in the Civil War.
Later Assignments and Resignation
Porterfield then joined the staff of Confederate General William W. Loring. He became his chief of ordnance, managing weapons and supplies. For a short time, from April 1862 to May 1862, he commanded a brigade under General Edward "Allegheny" Johnson.
In May 1862, the 25th Virginia Regiment was reorganized. Porterfield was not re-elected to his command position. He felt he was treated unfairly and resigned from the army. In June or July 1862, Union forces arrested him. However, he was soon released and took no further part in the war.
Life After the War
In 1871, George Porterfield helped start the Bank of Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia. He worked there for many years as a cashier.
Porterfield was a member of the Aztec Club of 1847. This club was for veterans of the Mexican–American War. He was one of the last three surviving members of the club. He served as Vice President from 1914 to 1915 and then as President from 1915 to 1916.
George A. Porterfield died on February 27, 1919, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He was buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Martinsburg.
