Joseph C. Porter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph C. Porter
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| Born | September 12, 1809 Jessamine County, Kentucky |
| Died | February 18, 1863 (aged 53) Batesville, Arkansas |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America Missouri |
| Service/ |
 Missouri State Guard Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 1st Northeast Missouri Cavalry Porter's Brigade |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Joseph Chrisman Porter (September 12, 1809 – February 18, 1863) was a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. He was a key leader in the guerrilla operations in northern Missouri. Guerrilla warfare means fighting in small, unofficial groups, often using surprise attacks.
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Joseph Porter's Early Life
Joseph C. Porter was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky. His family moved to Marion County, Missouri, around 1828 or 1829. He attended Marion College and was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Around 1844, Porter married Mary Ann E. Marshall. They lived in Knox County and later in Lewis County. Porter had strong feelings for the Southern states. This caused problems with his neighbors, as loyalties were divided in his area.
His brother, James William Porter, was also a Confederate officer. James served as Joseph's trusted helper. Both brothers went to California during the Gold Rush of 1849. They returned to Missouri and farmed together before the war began.
Joseph Porter in the Civil War
The Porter brothers joined Colonel Martin E. Green's Missouri State Guard. They fought in the attack on the Union Home Guard at Athens. They also took part in the Confederate attack on Lexington in September 1861. Joseph Porter had no military experience before the war. However, he was a natural leader. He was chosen as a lieutenant colonel in the Missouri State Guard.
After fighting in the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862, Porter returned home. General Sterling Price ordered him to find new soldiers in northeast Missouri. His job included setting up places for supplies and weapons. He also created a network of people who supported the South. As a Colonel, he led the 1st Northeast Missouri Cavalry.
Some Union officers, like Colonel John McNeil, did not fully see Porter as a regular army officer. People fighting behind Union lines were sometimes not seen as legal soldiers. They faced being executed if they were captured.
Most of Porter's actions were small guerrilla attacks or harassment. But some larger battles were fought. On June 17, 1862, he captured four Union soldiers near Warren, Missouri. He took their weapons and horses. Then he let them go after they promised not to fight against the Confederacy again.
Cherry Grove Skirmish
Porter moved north, gathering about 200 new soldiers. Union forces under Colonel Henry S. Lipscomb chased him. They caught Porter at Cherry Grove in Schuyler County. The Union forces attacked and defeated him. Porter's men scattered, and he retreated. Losses were small for both sides. Porter stayed near his home, gathering more recruits to fight again.
Memphis, Missouri Attack
On July 13, Porter and his men captured Memphis, Missouri. They took about a hundred muskets and ammunition from the Federal armory. They also took some Union uniforms. Porter's men gathered all adult males in the town. They made them promise not to share information about the raiders for 48 hours. Porter let captured militiamen go, waiting for them to be officially exchanged.
An important event happened in Memphis that made Porter's reputation worse. Dr. Wm. Aylward, a strong Union supporter, was captured. His body was found the next day, with signs of murder. Some people blamed Tom Stacy, one of Porter's captains, for the killing. But others said Porter himself made a comment that suggested he knew what happened to Aylward.
Vassar Hill Battle
Union Colonel John McNeil chased Porter. Porter set up an ambush with about 125 men. This battle is known by different names, including Vassar Hill. On July 18, Union soldiers attacked Porter's hidden men. Porter's men waited until the Union soldiers were very close before firing. This made their shots more deadly. The Union forces charged many times but suffered heavy losses. The Union soldiers eventually pulled back. Porter's men held the field until they decided to leave.
Florida, Missouri Encounter
On July 22, Union cavalry under Major Henry Clay Caldwell met Porter and 300 rebels at Florida. The Union soldiers fought for an hour, even though they were outnumbered. They then retreated, with 22 wounded and 2 captured.
Santa Fe Pursuit
On July 24, Major Caldwell and 100 Union men chased Porter and his 400 men. They followed Porter into thick bushes near Santa Fe, Missouri. Porter fled and was chased into Callaway County, Missouri. The Union forces had one soldier killed and ten wounded.
Moore's Mill Battle
On July 28, Union forces led by Colonel Odon Guitar fought Porter near Moore's Mill in Callaway County. Porter's men made a brave charge and damaged the Union artillery. But Union reinforcements arrived, and Porter's men ran out of ammunition. They were forced to retreat. Union losses were 19 killed and 21 wounded. Porter's forces lost 36-60 killed and 100 wounded.
Newark Capture
On August 1, Porter approached Newark from two directions. His brother Jim Porter led one group, and Joseph led another. They surprised the Union soldiers in the town. Porter forced a company of 75 Union soldiers to hide in a brick schoolhouse. When they refused to surrender, he threatened to set a haywagon on fire and push it into the building. The Union soldiers then surrendered. They were allowed to keep their sidearms.
The Union lost 4 killed, 6 wounded, and 72 prisoners in Newark. Confederate losses were reported as 10 to 20 killed and 30 wounded. Union soldiers were treated well. However, stores owned by Union supporters were damaged. Some citizens were also mistreated. Some people said this happened against Porter's orders. Others saw it as Porter getting revenge for past bad treatment.
After Newark, Porter's forces grew very large. He had about 2,000 men, but most were not well-trained or equipped. Many had no weapons at all. Porter's goal was to get his new recruits south to Arkansas. There, they could be properly trained and given equipment.
Kirksville Defeat
On August 6, 1862, Porter made a big mistake. He fought Union forces under Colonel John McNeil at Kirksville. Porter knew McNeil had cannons. Porter had been good at moving quickly and living off the land. But at Kirksville, he suffered a clear defeat. He would not recover from this loss.
Forces Scatter
After Kirksville, Porter tried to meet up with Colonel John A. Poindexter to combine their forces. They hoped to cross the Missouri River and reach the Confederacy. But Porter's path was blocked by Union forces. He was forced to retreat northeast.
At Wilsonville, many of Porter's discouraged soldiers left. In just a few hours, 500 men deserted.
Palmyra Capture and Allsman Incident
On September 12, Porter, with 400 men, captured Palmyra. He took 20 soldiers from its garrison. Porter wanted to free Confederates held in the jail. He also wanted to draw Union forces away from the Missouri River. This would allow other rebels to cross south.
The Confederates took an elderly Union citizen named Andrew Allsman. What happened to Allsman is still a mystery. There is also disagreement about his character and if he was a fair target.
Porter soon left Palmyra to McNeil. His troops continued to scatter. Many rebel groups refused to join Porter's command. This showed that he had lost public trust. At Whaley's Mill, his men were completely scattered, almost without a fight.
Joseph Porter's Death
After his defeat at Whaley's Mill, Colonel Porter hid for a few days. He gave up on raising a large military force. He then traveled south with fewer than 100 men. He made his way safely through several counties and crossed the Missouri River. He continued into Arkansas.
In Arkansas, he formed a regiment of Missouri Confederate cavalry. In December 1862, he moved with his command to help General John S. Marmaduke attack Springfield. Due to a mistake, Porter's command did not take part in this attack. After the expedition failed, Marmaduke and Porter's commands joined up. They began to retreat into Arkansas.
At the Battle of Hartville on January 11, 1863, a small Union force was defeated. But the Confederates suffered heavy losses. Colonel Porter, who was leading a brigade, was shot from his horse. He had wounds to his leg from an artillery shell. Some accounts say he died an hour later. However, other sources say Porter managed to travel with the army to Arkansas. He arrived at Batesville on January 25. He died there from his wounds on February 18, 1863.
The exact location of Colonel Porter's grave is not known. Some stories say he was buried on his cousin's farm near Hartville. This place is now called Porter's Cemetery.
Joseph Porter's Legacy
Joseph Porter is remembered for his bravery. He was also a smart tactician. He often avoided battles when he could not choose the best ground. He did not want to lose too many soldiers for small gains. He once said he would not trade one of his men for a dozen dead Union soldiers unless it served a clear purpose.
Some bad actions are linked to him. These include the deaths of Dr. Aylward and Andrew Allsman. It is hard to know how much he was responsible for these events. But it seems he did not always make it clear that such actions were wrong to his officers. However, there are stories of him stopping his men from harming captured Union soldiers. This happened when his men wanted revenge for a Confederate prisoner being executed.
Images for kids
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James, the brother of Joseph Porter
