John Porter Hatch (1822-1901) was an American soldier, born in Oswego, N. Y. He graduated at the united States Military Academy in 1845 and had his first active service as a second lieutenant in the Mexican War. He was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant service in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, and captain for bravery at Chapultepec. He was made a brigadier general of volunteers in September, 1861, led a brigade in the first battle of Bull Run, and then took command of the cavalry under General Banks. He was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, but recovered and commanded a division in the battle of South Mountain, where he was shot in the leg and had two horses killed under him. In 1864 he was assigned to the Department of the South, where he had charge of the coast division, operated with General Sherman, and took part in the attack on Charleston, of which city he had command after its capture. He was brevetted major general of volunteers in 1865, became colonel of the Second Cavalry in 1881, and retired in 1886, having fairly won the reputation of an unusually able and efficient cavalry officer.
