Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Commissary Sergeant Ambrose Porter received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 7, 1864 at Tallahatchie River, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 12th Missouri Cavalry. Porter was 25 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 24, 1905, 41 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Porter was born on February 2, 1839 in Allegany County, Maryland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Rockport, Atchison County, Missouri. Porter died on January 21, 1916 in Phelps City, Missouri, at the age of 76. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Rockport, Missouri.
Porter is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 78 credited to Missouri.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Was one of four volunteers who swam the river under a brisk fire of the enemy's sharpshooters and brought over a ferry boat, by means of which the troops crossed and dislodged the enemy from a strong position.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- February 2, 1839Born in Allegany County, Maryland
- August 7, 1864Act of valor — Tallahatchie River, MississippiAge 25. Company D, 12th Missouri Cavalry
- August 24, 1905Medal of Honor presented
- January 21, 1916Died in Phelps City, MissouriAge 76.
- Resting placeElmwood CemeteryRockport, Missouri
