This Day in History, October 3

The inclosed recommendation in favor of Capt. Charles Porterfield, at present attached to the 11th Virginia Regiment, was handed to me by the Gentlemen who subscribe it, with a desire that I would and request your interest for the Commission of Lieutenant Colonel or Major of the New Regiment of Artillery if the places are not already disposed of. I cannot undertake to recommend Capt. Porterfield upon my own particular knowledge, but he is universally esteemed by his acquaintances in the Army, as an Officer of very extraordinary Merit. He also, I am informed, has made the Military Branches of the Mathematics his particular Study. This Gentleman entered very early into the Service of his Country, he accompanied Genl. Arnold in his expedition to Quebec, at the Storm of which under General Montgomery, he was made prisoner.

[Note:Porterfield became brigade major to Woodford's brigade in July, 1778; resigned in July, 1779, to become lieutenant colonel of a Virginia State regiment; mortally wounded at Camden, S. C, in August, 1780; died in October of that year.] [More]