Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Character

David D. Porter

Union admiral whose Mississippi River fleet gave Grant's army its waterborne muscle, and whose flagship later hosted Lincoln at fallen Richmond.

supporting

Also known as Porter, Admiral Porter, Admiral D. D. Porter

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, David D. Porter is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Not explicitly mentioned in this excerpt, but associated with naval operations on the Mississippi.

In the storyGeneral Fremont in Command—Movement Against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the BattleOpen this moment free

Porter commands the naval wing of Grant's western campaigns, the ironclads and gunboats that pry open rivers the Confederacy assumed it owned. His partnership with Grant — sailor to soldier — is practical rather than sentimental, and the memoir treats him as a steady instrument of combined operations. When Richmond falls, Porter's flagship becomes the floating stage where Lincoln, Weitzel, and Virginia's anxious citizens improvise the war's awkward endgame.

See David D. Porter in General Fremont in Command—Movement Against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the Battle Book page

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Character Web

23 connections

A slice of how David D. Porter sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Grant's Inner Circle
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Grant’s severe sick headache—a physical manifestation of immense psychological strain—reaches its peak just as…

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In the story

David D. Porter appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

San Francisco—Early California Experiences—Life on the Pacific Coast—Promoted Captain—Flush Times in California
Not directly mentioned in this chapter.
General Fremont in Command—Movement Against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the Battle
Not explicitly mentioned in this excerpt, but associated with naval operations on the Mississippi.
Headquarters Moved to Holly Springs—General McClernand in Command—Assuming Command at Young’s Point—Operations Above Vicksburg—Fortifications About Vicksburg—The Canal—Lake Providence—Operations at Yazoo Pass
Commands the naval fleet; urges Grant to take command due to distrust of McClernand.
The Vicksburg Campaign: Running the Batteries
Admiral commanding the naval fleet; cooperates with Grant and prepares steamers to run the batteries.
Attack on Grand Gulf — Operations Below Vicksburg
Admiral commanding the naval attack on Grand Gulf; his gunboats bombard the Confederate batteries.
Siege of Vicksburg
Admiral who supplies the army with a battery of navy-guns of large calibre for the siege.
The Surrender of Vicksburg
Admiral Porter is notified by Grant to stop hostilities during the surrender negotiations.
Retrospect of the Campaign
Commended for the Navy's indispensable role and perfect harmony with the Army during the campaign.
Left Flank Movement Across the Chickahominy and James—General Lee—Visit to Butler—The Movement on Petersburg—The Investment of Petersburg
Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted.
LXI: Expedition Against Fort Fisher
Commands the naval squadron; coordinates with Terry for the successful assault.
Morale of the Two Armies—President Lincoln Visits Richmond—President Lincoln's Assassination—President Johnson's Policy
Accompanied President Lincoln to Richmond on his flagship.

Chapter companion notes

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See David D. Porter in i

See David D. Porter in General Fremont in Command—Movement Against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the Battle