Semi-related follow-up thought... reading Gideon Welles' diary (the excellent Beale three-volume edition), I was reminded of how Porter believed that Welles was against him and it was Lincoln's influence that advanced his career; whereas in reality, Welles was his supporter and Lincoln was frequently doubtful of him. Welles seems to have judged him accurately enough to know to discount anything Porter reported by about two-thirds and to be satisfied with his aggressiveness and the results he produced. The irony being that Porter seems to have managed to deceive himself about this...