Hello, Mr. Martin:

Sure, ex Confederate soldiers' political careers were a dime a dozen post war, in just about every Southern state (think Congressman Joe Wheeler from Alabama, Senator Edward C. Walthall from Mississippi, etc.,etc.) But not appointment to patronage jobs such as Consuls, ambassadors, local postmasters, etc.,etc. Even the cabinet appointment as Postmaster General, while unusual, was not considered a patronage job.

I'm not sure about the appointment to the Federal Bench. Let me look into that one.

(James D. Porter was born in Paris, TN, Henry County)

Regards as Always,