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Military Images, Jul/Aug 1999 by Beck, Michael, Valentine, Scott, Lyon, Robert, Fitzpatrick, Michael, Et al

Vignettes from the Union Infantry

Madison M. Cannon 1st New Jersey Inf. 40th New York Inf. Madison Cannon (left) was born in the state of New York about 1841. Twenty years later with the nation on the verge of civil war, Cannon was living in Hoboken, New Jersey and working as a printer at the Hudson County Democrat. When the war erupted in April, Cannon left his press to join the Ist New Jersey Volunteers as a corporal in Company 1. Skilled with words, Cannon was soon assigned as a clerk at brigade headquarters.

In the summer of 1862, Corporal Cannon left the staff tent behind to accept a commission as 2nd lieutenant of Company G, 40th New York Volunteers--a unit known as the "Mozart Regiment" because it was raised in Mozart Hall, New York City.

Lieutenant Cannon's military records show rapid advancement through the ranks. By April of 1863 he was captain commanding Company E. Following a wound sustained during the Mozart Regiment's fight in the Valley of Death at Gettysburg, he rejoined the unit and was promoted Major and Lieutenant Colonel in 1864. He was discharged at Washington in June of 1865.

On December 8, 1870, Madison Cannon married Elizabeth Babson in Rockport, Massachusetts; from this marriage were born two children, Mary and Annie. Madison Cannon, employed at the New York Customs House, died of Bright's Disease on February 11, 1892. -- Michael Beck Portrait courtesy the Grover Museum, Shelbyville, Indiana.

Edward L. Porter 2nd Connecticut Infantry 18th Connecticut Infantry

Resplendent in his new uniform, Captain Edward Porter, Company F. l8th Connecticut Volunteers, waited to have his photograph taken in the studio of the Bendann Brothers. A newly appointed captain, Porter decided to record his good fortune for posterity and perhaps for a sweetheart waiting back home in Middletown, Conn.

True, the Bendanns of Baltimore were not the great Brady, but they were notorious southern sympathizers, and to have one's picture taken by the Bendanns, in Baltimore - a hotbed of secessionists - was all the rage among the young dandies filling the ranks of the Union officer corps.

While waiting, Porter probably reflected on his good fortune. During a ninety day enlistment with the 2nd Connecticut Militia as a sergeant in Company A, he had performed well at Bull Run and was later sought out by Col. William Ely, formerly Major of the 2nd Connecticut Militia, when Ely began organizing the 18th Connecticut. Porter would join Ely's staff as Regimental Adjutant.

With his promotion in hand, Porter was ready to blaze a path to glory. The 18th Connecticut was soon due to leave Forts McHenry and Marshall in the defenses of Baltimore for the Shenandoah Valley as part of the second brigade of Brig. General Robert H. Milroy's division. Porter sorely yearned to lead his own company in action. He'd had his fill of paperwork.

Before leaving Baltimore, Porter retrieved his cartes de visite from the Bendann studio. Glancing down at one, he must have been pleased at what he saw. Standing there in his dress uniform with his promotion papers tucked in his belt and his gauntleted hand resting on the pommel of his sword, he looked the very image of a young god of war. Surely he must have thought, "I am destined for great things."

Upon reaching the Shenandoah, Porter and the 18th Connecticut were assigned duty in one of three forts that were the key defensive positions surrounding Winchester. Porter and his regiment, according to Major Henry Peale of the 18th, soon fell into the normal routine associated with garrison duty, "reconnaissance and picket."

As Robert E. Lec marched north toward his destiny at Gettysburg, his vanguard under General Richard Ewell was ordered to secure Winchester. Lee could not afford to leave a garrison with close to 7,000 Federals in his rear as he marched north. On the morning of June 14th, with Ewell's Corps rapidly enveloping Winchester's defenses, Milroy ordered a retreat to Martinsburg. But Ewell had anticipated Milroy's maneuver and had sent three brigades and two batteries of artillery under General Edward Johnson to cut off Milroy's retreat near Stephenson's Depot on the Martinsburg Turnpike about four miles northeast of Winchester. Milroy's troops were caught in a large mousetrap.

In the early morning hours of June 15th, the 18th Connecticut, 110th Ohio and 87th Pennsylvania twice charged one of Johnson's brigades in an attempt to break out; the Federals were beaten back both times and milled about in disarray. It fell to the 18th Connecticut to charge once more, alone. The Nutmeg regiment concentrated its attack on the wooded area on the west side of the Charlestown Road and was quickly repulsed, losing thirty killed and wounded in a valiant but futile charge. Leading his company in this final assault, Porter was cut down in a blaze of cannon fire and began his journey down the path to eternity.

Porter would be spared in death the ignoble capture of almost his entire regiment, along with over 3,000 men of Milroy's command. -- Scott Valentine