On Porter's Death

In 1886, Civil War veteran George Brady met Dr. Isaac Porter. Brady served in the army with Porter's son Edward (pictured here), who died during the Battle of Winchester in 1863. In the letter below, Brady shared with the father details about the death of the son. I do not have a copy of Porter's reply, if any, to this note. I can't help but imagine the relief felt by the elder Porter in learning this information twenty-five years after the fact, and perhaps the pangs of grief and pain opened anew.

New York, Octo. 18th 1886

Dr. Isaac G. Porter
New London Ct.
Dear Doctor
I have yours of the 14th inst. in explanation of matters etc. attending our introduction at Capt. Gardner’s the other evening. Felt at the time that you did not fully understand that your son and myself were associated together in the 18th Regt. During our stay in Balto. I was a clerk at his Hd. Qr’s, accompanied him a great deal in town, was with him when he had some pictures taken, have one of them now. On leaving Balto. For Winchester I was re-assigned to my Co. (“C”), but on reaching Winchester was placed on detached service at Gen. Milroy’s Hd Qr’s. Meantime your son was made Capt. of Co. “F.” Just before the Battle of Winchester and in fact at the time, he was quite seriously ill, and it is said of him that when the battle was imminent he rose from his bed, with hardly strength enough to stand, remarking that if his Co. went into action he should go with it, and with it he went, and to his death, poor fellow. Am told that he had premontion of his fate, said he was sure of not coming out of the fight alive. A truer or more brave officer never lived. He was beloved by all
Yours Sincerely
George Brady

This letter has been transcribed from a copy sent by the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, which young Porter attended. He left school to join the Eighteenth Connecticut Infantry, and received an honorary degree.