Their Country's Call:
The Byington, McHarg, and Porter Families in War and Peace
Introduction
This exhibition highlights the contributions of three families which count among their members individuals who served America in various capacities in war and in peace. Whether that service was expressed through distinguished duty during the Civil War or through dedicated foreign service careers, the heroes of the Byington, McHarg, and Porter families embody many American ideals. They heard their country's call. The three families are related by marriage. They also are united in their devotion to service which is so characteristic of the American spirit.
The exhibit features selections from the Byington Family Papers, which were donated to Georgetown University Library by Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Hinkle. The collection consists of the papers of A. Homer Byington (1826-1910), his grandson Homer Morrison Byington I (1879-1966), and Homer Morrison Byington II (1908-1987). A. Homer Byington made a name for himself as a journalist from Norwalk, Connecticut. He became a friend of Abraham Lincoln, especially during the Civil War. Well known for being the first to deliver the news of the outcome of the battle of Gettysburg, he later held the post of U.S. consul in Naples (1897-1907). Homer M. Byington I served for forty-seven years in the foreign service, rising to the office of chief of personnel in the 1930s. Homer Morrison Byington II (1908-1987), the son of Homer Morrison Byington I, enjoyed a forty-year foreign service career. It was Homer Morrison Byington II who married Jane McHarg, thus linking two of the distinguished families honored in this exhibition.
The items on display relating to A. Homer Byington focus on his relationship with Lincoln during the Civil War, his role in reporting the news of the Union victory at Gettysburg, and his tenure as U.S. consul in Naples. In addition, selected items document the foreign service careers of Homer Morrison Byington I and Homer Morrison Byington II. These members of the Byington family answered the call to serve their nation, albeit in different eras and in different capacities.
The McHarg family is the second family remembered in this exhibit. Just like A. Homer Byington, several McHargs contributed to the Union cause during the Civil War. The documents presented come primarily from the McHarg Family Papers, a gift of Mr. Homer M. Byington III, which provide primary source documentation on two important episodes in American history: the Civil War and the development of the national pastime, baseball.
The McHarg family materials on display begin with Civil War letters exchanged
among several family members. Among the topics covered are reports of skirmishes
and Union activities near Hall's Hill (in present-day Arlington County), Virginia;
the siege of Yorktown, Virginia; and news from the McHargs' hometown of Albany,
New York. Among the correspondents are quartermaster John McHarg (1813-1884);
his son and future financier Henry K. McHarg (1851-1941); and distinguished
Union officer Horace Porter (1837-1921), who married John's daughter Sophie
King McHarg (1840-1903) during the war in 1863. As an interesting sidelight,
the exhibit also shows five fascinating letters bearing Civil War dates sent
to Henry K. McHarg about the development of baseball.
The aforementioned Horace Porter stands as the representative of the Porter
family in this exhibition. The Horace
Porter Collection, a gift of Mrs. Horace Porter Mende, consists of letters,
manuscripts, clippings, prints, photographs, muniments, and artifacts connected
to the career of Horace Porter (1837-1921), who was best-known as aide-de-camp
and biographer of General Ulysses S. Grant. On display in this exhibit are materials
relating to Porter's days at West Point, his prominent role in battles at Fort
Pulaski and Chickamauga, his experiences campaigning with Grant, his postwar
honors, and his service as U.S. Ambassador to France. Porter epitomized these
three families' devotion to service in war and peace at home and abroad.
Scott S. Taylor
Manuscripts Processor
Georgetown University Library
Special Collections and Archives
Items 1-20 Items 21-40 Items 41-60 Items 61-71
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