PORTER, HORACE, an American dip lomatist; born in Huntingdon, Pa., April 15, 1837, son of David R. Porter, who became governor of the State. After a year in the scientific department of Har vard University he entered the United States Military Academy. His gradua tion took place in 1860. After a brief Space as instructor in artillery at West Point, he was assigned to duty in the Department of the East. He was pro moted to be 1st lieutenant while under Sherman and Dupont in the expedition against Port Royal. In 1863 he was brevetted captain for gallant services at the capture of Fort Pulaski, where he had command of the siege batteries. In May, 1864, he was brevetted major for his conduct in the battle of the Wilder ness. The next year found him brevet lieutenant-colonel, and 1865 brevet Brigadier-General of the United States army. He had been chief of ordnance of the army of the Potomac under Gen eral McClellan, but after the battle of Antietam was transferred first to the army of the Ohio and then to the army of the Cumberland. While on the staff
of General Thomas at Chattanooga he became acquainted with General Grant. Their intimacy lasted till Grant's death. General Porter became an aide-de-camp on Grant's staff, and was with him dur ing most of the rest of the war.
When General Grant became Secretary of War General Porter became the assist ant secretary, and during his chief's service as President acted as private secretary. General Porter then went into business and was exceedingly suc cessful. He was president of the Gen eral National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Grant Monument Association. The completion of the Grant monument is largely the result of his efforts. In 1897 he was appointed by President McKinley ambas sador to France.