Portsmouth in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
On this site was born Fitz John Porter
Aug. 31, 1822
Photographed By Ali Newton, May 21, 2016
1. On this site was born Fitz John Porter Marker
Commanded the Portsmouth Navy Yard.
Graduated West Point, July 1845
Distinguished himself and was wounded in War with Mexico
1846-1847.
Instructor of Artillery and Cavalry
West Point 1854-1855.
Asst. Adj. Gen. Utah Expedition 1854.
During Civil War
Brev. Brig. Gen. U.S.A. June 27, 1862
Maj. Gen. U.S. Vol. July 4, 1862
Commanded Army Corps.
Cashiered Jan. 21st. 1863.
The case of Gen. Porter was reviewed by
A Board of Officers appointed by
President Hayes
Consisting of
Lieut. Gen. J. M. Schofield
Brev. Maj. Gen. A.H. Terry
Brev. Maj. Gen. G.W. Getty
Hon. Joseph H. Choate Counsel for Gen Porter
The Board fully exonerated him
Their judgement was approved by
General U.S. Grant.
Finally by both Houses of Congress
He was restored to his former
rank in the Regular Army
by President Cleveland
Died at Morristown, New Jersey
May 21st, 1901
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant
this page online
Location. 43° 4.445′ N, 70° 45.279′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. Marker is on Pleasant Street near Edward St.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth NH 03801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Haven Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Siras Bruce (about 600 feet away); Temple Israel (approx. 0.2 miles away); James (Stavers) (approx. 0.2 miles away); The South Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portsmouth NH Red Light District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joseph & Nancy (Cotton) and their children, Eleazor & James (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.
Also see . . . Fitz John Porter - Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 22, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. Panel engravings
Each of the panels in bas relief are engraved:
1 side panel says Kelly 1905, One says
Photographed By Ali Newton, May 21, 2016
2. On this site was born Fitz John Porter Marker
— Submitted July 26, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida.
Photographed By Ali Newton, May 21, 2016
3. Lt. Fitz John Porter in the War with Mexico
The faint engraving on the bas-relief reads: Lt. FJ Porter wounded at the Aqueduct Garita Belen, Capture of the City of Mexico, September 13, 1847.
Photographed By Ali Newton, May 21, 2016
4. On this site was born Fitz John Porter Marker
Photographed By Ali Newton, May 21, 2016
5. Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter and Brig. Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher
The additional engraving reads: Charge at Malvern Hill.
Photographed By James R. Murray, July 26, 2016
6. A bas-relief of Fitz John Porter during his famous balloon ride on April 11, 1862.
General Fitz-John Porter decided to ride in an observation balloon alone when inventor Thaddeus Lowe took a sick-day. In flight, the balloon tether breaks, and Porter nearly crosses into enemy territory. A last minute change in wind direction returned him to Union lines.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2017
7. Closeup of Fitz John Porter Statue
Library of Congress
8. Statue of Gen. Fitz-John Porter, by James E. Kelly, 1906.
Detroit Publishing, Co.
Internet Archive
9. Blocking out the Horse in Clay
Mr. James E. Kelly at work on his heroic equestrian statue of General Fitz-John Porter, to be placed in Haymarket Square, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
From Harper's Weekly Saturday, January 3, 1903. Page 22.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2016, by Ali Newton of Boston, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 742 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 22, 2016, by Ali Newton of Boston, Massachusetts. 6. submitted on July 26, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 7. submitted on July 10, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8, 9. submitted on March 13, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
