The West Point Boys - Andrew Porter

Andrew Porter was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on July 10th, 1820. He was the son of the third Territorial Governor of Michigan, George B. Porter. He came to Michigan with his family in 1831, attended school in Detroit and later went on to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. He married Margaretta Biddle, the daughter of Colonel John Biddle. Porter’s first service after leaving West Point was as 1st Lieutenant of U. S. Mounted Rifles in 1846 during the Mexican War. He was made captain in 1847 for his service during that war. He was Provost Marshal of Washington, D. C. at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was transferred to Alexandria, Virginia and made colonel of the 16th U. S. Infantry.