Marcus F. Wright's Civil War Bios - Admiral David Dixon Porter

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                                   PORTER
   p.581
   PORTER, ADMIRAL DAVID DIXON, born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 8, 1814.
   Served with his father in the Mexican navy. Became midshipman 1829.
   Served in the Mediterranean till 1835. Assigned to United States coast
   survey corps. Made lieutenant 1841. At Washington Observatory 1841-45.
   Served in navy through the Mexican war. Again engaged in coast survey.
   Rose to rank of commander. Served in Union navy during the Civil war.
   Relieved Fort Pickens in Pensacola harbor. In 1862 commanded the
   mortar boats operating against New Orleans. Engaged in the
   unsuccessful attack on Vicksburg July, 1862. In January, 1863,
   captured Arkansas Post and destroyed Grand Gulf batteries. Made
   rear-admiral and had command of all naval forces on the Mississippi.
   Cooperated with Grant in siege and capture of Vicksburg July 4, 1863.
   Assisted Banks in Red River expedition 1864. In 1866 became
   superintendent of Naval Academy at Annapolis. On the death of Farragut
   in 1870, he became admiral, or commander-in-chief, in the navy. Wrote
   several valuable works. Died in Washington February 12, 1891.