[193] lamented Col. Paul Revere, who fell at Gettysburg. After graduation Porter studied law and was admitted to practice in the courts of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. He early evinced great interest in military affairs, becoming in 1852 a member of the Boston Light Artillery. In 1861, when the Massachusetts militia was called to the defence of the capital, Porter was first lieutenant of the Light Artillery Corps, with which he had early connected himself; he accompanied that command as its second officer, and served with honor during the term of enlistment of his company. The scene of its-operations was central Maryland, being in the department commanded by Gen. Butler. Lieut. Porter, whose urbanity made him ever popular with officers and men, seems to have been a local authority as a tactician, when the battery first entered the service, and this fact, doubtless, had due influence in causing his selection for the command of the First Massachusetts Light Battery. Capt. Porter evinced great executive ability in the arduous work of recruiting, mustering, equipping, and instructing his command, and the condition and appearance of the corps at the moment of departure for the South furnished ample confirmation of this. He was at the time the recipient of an elegant sword from the Harvard class of which he had been a member. Thenceforth, until after the battle of Antietam, in 1862, his history is that of his company. When family affairs necessitated his withdrawal from the army, and finally compelled his resignation, an excellent officer was lost to the service. After the war he resumed practice in his profession in New York City. He continued to have the liveliest interest in military affairs, and was colonel of the Twenty-second Regiment New York S. V. M. He is at present adjutant general of the state of New York.
The resignation of Colonel Josiah Porter, Twenty-second Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., is a topic of conversation just now in the regimental lines and throughout the First Division, where he has the well-earned reputation of being one of the most successful and accomplished regimental commanders in the service.
The colonel joined the regiment in 1865 as captain of Company G; was commissioned major May 10, 1867; lieutenant colonel January 30, 1869, and colonel October 1, 1869, since which time the regiment under his command has made steady progress in strength, discipline, and efficiency. Although he has proved himself a first-class infantry officer, Colonel Porter's fame is associated with his war record as an artillery officer.
