Horace Porter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Horace Porter
Porter in the 1860s
United States Ambassador to France
In office May 26, 1897 – May 2, 1905
President	William McKinley Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by	James B. Eustis
Succeeded by	Robert S. McCormick
Personal details
Born	(1837-04-15)April 15, 1837 Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, US
Died	May 29, 1921(1921-05-29) (aged 84) Manhattan, New York, US
Resting place	West Long Branch, New Jersey, US
Spouse	Sophie King McHarg ​ ​ (m. 1863; her death 1903)​
Relations	Andrew Porter (cousin) Andrew Porter (grandfather) George Bryan Porter (uncle) James M. Porter (uncle)
Children	4
Parents	David Rittenhouse Porter Josephine McDermott
Education	Lawrenceville School Harvard University
Alma mater	West Point
Occupation	Soldier, author, President of the Union League Club of New York
Awards	Medal of Honor Legion of Honor
Military service
Allegiance	United States Union
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1860–1873
Rank	Colonel Brevet Brigadier General
Battles/wars	American Civil War:  • Battle of Chickamauga  • Battle of Fort Pulaski  • Battle of the Wilderness  • Second Battle of Ream's Station

Horace Porter (April 15, 1837–May 29, 1921) was an important American soldier and diplomat. He served as a high-ranking officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Porter was also a personal secretary to General and later President Ulysses S. Grant. After his military career, he became the U.S. Ambassador to France from 1897 to 1905.

Early Life and Education

Porter as a cadet at West Point

Horace Porter was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, on April 15, 1837. His father, David Rittenhouse Porter, was an ironmaster who later became the Governor of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Andrew Porter, was a brave officer in the American Revolutionary War.

Horace Porter received a great education. He attended The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. He also studied at Harvard University. In 1860, he graduated from the West Point military academy.

Military Career and Civil War Service

Porter began his military career in 1861. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. By the end of the war, he had reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.

During the war, Porter was the Chief of Ordnance for several important armies. This meant he was in charge of weapons and supplies. He showed great bravery in battles like the Battle of Fort Pulaski in Georgia and the Battle of Chickamauga. He also fought in the Battle of the Wilderness and the Second Battle of Ream's Station.

For his actions at the Battle of Chickamauga, Porter received the Medal of Honor. This is the highest military award in the United States. In the last year of the war, he worked closely with General Ulysses S. Grant. He later wrote a book about his experiences called Campaigning With Grant.

Working with President Grant

From 1869 to 1872, Horace Porter served as President Grant's personal secretary. He worked in the White House, helping the President with many important tasks. During this time, he also held the rank of colonel in the regular army.

Porter was known for his honesty. He once refused a large sum of money from a wealthy financier. This financier, Jay Gould, was trying to unfairly control the gold market. Porter warned President Grant about Gould's plans.

Later Life and Diplomacy

After leaving the army in 1873, Porter began a successful career in business. He became the vice president of the Pullman Palace Car Company. This company made fancy railroad cars. He also became president of the West Shore Railroad.

From 1897 to 1905, Porter served as the U.S. Ambassador to France. This was a very important job. One of his most famous achievements was finding the body of John Paul Jones. Jones was a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Porter arranged for his body to be brought back to the United States for re-burial. In 1904, the French government honored Porter with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.

Porter was also the president of the Union League Club of New York from 1893 to 1897. In this role, he played a big part in building Grant's Tomb. This is a famous memorial in New York City for President Ulysses S. Grant.

Horace Porter passed away in Manhattan, New York, on May 29, 1921. He is buried in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Personal Life

In 1863, Horace Porter married Sophie King McHarg. They had four children together:

• Horace Porter Jr.
• Clarence Porter
• Elsie Porter
• William Porter

Sadly, two of their sons, Horace Jr. and William, died young.

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M–P
• List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union)