Fitz John Porter

[General Quarters]

I don't see a bio of Porter, but I would like to comment on his rating.

In the beta, I didn't jot his numbers down but they are less than mediocre. I recently read a book on the Peninsular campaign and his performance there was little short of spectacular. McClellan gave him the largest corps and then augmented it with several additional brigades. He held the right of the Union line and was attacked more than once by about 2/3 of the rebel army. He kept his head and held his ground under terrific onslaughts. McClellan was not on the field.

Pope complained about him at Second Manassas but did so unfairly. The final army review found that, had Porter followed Pope's orders any more to the letter than the did, the results would have been disastrous. At Antietam, Porter's corps was in reserve and, while he wrongly advised McClellan not to throw his reserves in at the moment they would have been decisive, it was really McClellan's decision.

It seems to me that he deserves numbers just short of Rosecrans, though he showed less initiative: maybe inititative 2, leadership 5, tactics 5, command 5.

[Erik Rutins]

I'd have to agree, Porter definitely seemed to be better than average as far as McClellan's commanders went.

[Gil R.]

Porter's stats are still random. Remember, 9-percenters who don't have bios yet still have random stats. (The exact opposite situation was seen for Sibley, whose ratings were too good.) Even if there's no bio, though, I can certainly assign more accurate ratings to any 9-percenter in advance of a bio, so just tell me what numbers you think he should have and I'll plug them in.

[General Quarters]

I suggested 2-5-5-5. Make one of those a 4 if you think those are too high. His teachable skills should be ones that fit the description I gave above.

[Gil R.]

You're right, I missed the ratings you suggested the second time I was skimming your post. Okay, I've put in your suggested ratings, plus he now teaches Steady and two random abilities. Thanks.

Anyone out there want to write Porter's bio, so we can make this even more official?

[Erik Rutins]

Oh my, I just finally got Porter in-game and saw his photo with that hat. That hat alone should be work an extra Leadership point! [;)]

[General Quarters]

I wonder if there's a photo of McDowell with his self-designed hat that looked like a birdnest?

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: General Quarters

I wonder if there's a photo of McDowell with his self-designed hat that looked like a birdnest?

You have me intrigued. If you find one, please post it.