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