Memoirs of the Generals, Commodores and other Commanders, who distinguished themselves in the American army and navy during the wars of the Revolution and 1812, and who were presented with medals by Congress for their gallant services

by Thomas Wyatt

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.

Occasion.—Battles of Chippewa, Niagara and Erie.

Device.—Bust of General Ripley.

Legend.—Brigadier-General Eleazer W. Ripley.

Reverse.—Victory holding up a tablet among the branches of a palm tree, inscribed with “Niagara, Chippewa, Erie.” In her right hand, which gracefully hangs by her side, are a trumpet and laurel wreath.

Legend.—Resolution of Congress, Nov. 3, 1814.

Exergue.—Battles of Chippewa, July 5th, 1814; Niagara, July 28th, 1814; Erie, Sept. 17th, 1814.

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GEN. PETER B. PORTER.

Peter B. Porter was born of very respectable parents, in Salisbury, Connecticut, August 14th, 1773. His father intending him for the profession of the law, entered him at Yale College, in his own state, where he graduated with high honors to himself and great satisfaction to his preceptors.

Having completed his law studies, he established himself in his native town, from whence he was elected to Congress, where he remained as chairman of the “Committee of Foreign Relations” till 1811. At that period this country was preparing for a war with England, with which she had long been threatened, and every buoyant spirit seemed anxious to take up arms in his country’s cause; and no part of the community engaged in it with greater ardor than the members of the bar.

During the same year he was appointed with Governor Morris, Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, William North, Simeon De Witt, Thomas Eddy, Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton, the first commissioners in relation to inland navigation, being the incipient step that led, in the sequel, to the noble works of art and improvement, which contributed so largely (whatever excesses may have been committed) to the glory and prosperity of the state of New York. These labors were suspended, however, by the war of 1812, and for these civic duties, General Porter exchanged the privations and dangers of the frontier campaigns. Residing then at Black Rock, he was in the midst of the most eventful and stirring of the border scenes. He rallied the hastily gathered volunteers, who repelled the first invasion of that place in midsummer, 1813; and shared, at the head of his corps, with intrepidity and skill, in those brilliant and memorable battles of the succeeding year.

In the official papers of General Brown to the secretary of war, after the battle of Chippewa, he speaks of General Porter as follows:—“General Scott having selected this plain with the eye of a soldier, his right resting on the river, and a ravine in front, was joined early in the morning of the 5th by General Porter, with a part of the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and some of the warriors of the Six Nations. At 4 o’clock, P. M., General Porter advanced from the rear of our camp with the volunteers and Indians, (taking the woods, in order to keep out of view of the enemy,) with a hope of bringing his pickets and scouting parties between his (Porter’s) line of march and our camp. As Porter moved, the parties advanced in front of our camp, fell back gradually under the enemy’s fire, in order, if possible, to draw him up to our line. Before 5 o’clock, the advance of General Porter’s command met the light parties of the enemy in the woods, upon our extreme left—the enemy were driven; and Porter, advancing near to Chippewa, met their whole column in order of battle.” He also observes:—“The conduct of General Porter has been conspicuously gallant; every assistance in his power to afford, with the description of force under his command, has been rendered.”

In the official details of the battle of Bridgewater, General Brown also says:—“It was with great pleasure I saw the good order and intrepidity of General Porter’s volunteers, from the moment of their arrival; but, during the last charge of the enemy, those qualities were conspicuous. Stimulated by their gallant leader, they precipitated themselves upon the enemy’s line, and made all the prisoners which were taken at this point of the action.”

In General Gaines’ detailed report of the battle of Fort Erie, the August following, he says:—“General Porter’s brigade, of New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, with our distinguished riflemen, occupied the centre.” After describing the action, General Gaines observes:—“Brigadier-General Porter, commanding the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, manifested a degree of vigilance and judgment in his preparatory arrangements, as well as military skill and courage in action, which proves him to be worthy the confidence of his country, and the brave volunteers who fought under him.” During the next session Congress passed the following resolution:—“Resolved, that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal (See [Plate VI.]) to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Major-General Porter, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress for his gallantry and good conduct in the several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara and Erie.” In 1816, he was appointed Secretary of State, in place of Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer, but he declined the appointment, having been elected to Congress the previous year. Near the close of his congressional term, he was appointed Commissioner, under the British treaty, to run the boundary line between the United States and Canada. In 1817, he was the antagonist candidate to De Witt Clinton, in the democratic canvass held for the nomination of Governor, and at the election received a few votes, cast by politicians in the city of New York, who refused to acquiesce in the nomination of Clinton. In the political controversies of his time General Porter was a prominent participator, until his retirement from public life with Mr. Adams in 1829. Under that administration, and for the last year of it, he discharged the duties of Secretary of War. He was warmly attached to Mr. Clay, and was related to him by the marriage of his second wife. A frontier resident during the last forty years; possessed of large estates on the border—he is identified with the history of western New York, and with its gigantic progress in the great elements of social and physical developments.

General Porter has been distinguished in our annals in civic and martial life, and there are few among us to whom the meed of talents, bravery and patriotism can be more faithfully awarded. His private life was estimable, as his public career was brilliant. In his domestic relations he was ingenuous, affectionate and kind. In his intercourse with mankind his deportment drew around him a numerous circle of friends. The active and useful life of this distinguished servant of his country was closed at his residence at Niagara, March 20th, 1844, in the seventy-first year of his age.