USA Bio Robert Patterson

[Battleline]

Brevet Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson (b. 1792, d. 1881) Robert Patterson held high rank in three of America’s wars, including a 90-day commission at brigadier general of Federal troops to start the Civil War. But when that 90-day period was up, Patterson was not renewed. Ezra Warner’s “Generals in Blue” lists him as a breveted officer not appointed to the full rank. At the age of 69 when the war started, Patterson was much older than most volunteers. He was born Jan. 12, 1792, in County Tyrone, Ireland. In 1798, Patterson’s father was banished for his part in the Irish Rebellion and the family moved to the United States, settling in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Patterson trained as a businessman. When the War of 1812 broke out, the 20-year-old joined the Pennsylvania militia and rose all the way to colonel before being offered a captain’s commission in the regular army with the 32nd Infantry. He left the service at the conclusion of the war. A grocer and shipper and active in Democratic politics, Patterson again left his ventures at the start of the Mexican War. Commissioned as a volunteer major general, Patterson made his name in Winfield Scott’s Mexico City Campaign. At Cerro Gordo, he stopped a premature American attack against a strong Mexican position. He also was commended in taking Jalapa. With the end of the war, he returned to expand his business even more, dealing in southern cotton and sugar. At the start of the Civil War, he again volunteered his services. Despite his age, the offer was accepted. He received a three-month commission as a major general to date from April 27, 1861. The popular Patterson was put to work recruiting in Pennsylvania and commanded the Department of Pennsylvania, which also included Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In late May of 1861, he was ordered to recapture Harpers Ferry, but did so slow enough to allow the Confederates to evacuate and burn the important arsenal structures. In June of 1861, he was ordered to move his men into western Virginia to guard the approaches to Washington, D.C. He moved to Martinsburg, Virginia, chasing a lone Confederate brigade led by Thomas Jackson. After skirmishing at Falling Waters June 9, the Federals occupied Martinsburg. When Irwin McDowell made his move against Confederate forces massed near Manassas Junction, Patterson was ordered to make sure the troops of Joseph E. Johnston could not reinforce the Manassas units. Johnston was able to move his forces to link up with P.G.T. Beauregard as Patterson didn’t intervene. After the fact, Patterson defended himself by stating he wasn’t ordered to attack Johnston. Patterson’s commission expired July 27 and he was replaced by Nathaniel Banks. Patterson requested a court of inquiry into Banks’ conduct in western Virginia, but was turned down. Patterson remained a major general in the Pennsylvania militia for the rest of the war, but never commanded troops on the field again. Patterson’s son, Francis Engle Patterson, was a brigadier general of volunteers. He was found dead in his tent near Occoquan, Virginia, Nov. 22, 1862. The cause of death was an “accidental discharge of his own pistol.” Robert Patterson returned to the business world following the war. He died in Philadelphia Aug. 7, 1881.

[Gil R.]

Thanks. It's neat to have this guy in. Most people (myself included, until recently) don't know about him.

[Gil R.]

Good bio. No significant changes, though I took out the following line because I couldn’t figure out its importance: Ezra Warner’s “Generals in Blue” lists him as a brevetted officer not appointed to the full rank. Looks like this is ready to go.

Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson (b. 1792, d. 1881). Patterson held high rank in three of America’s wars, including a 90-day commission as brigadier general of Union troops to start the Civil War at the age of 69. But when that 90-day period was up, Patterson was not renewed. Patterson was born on January 12, 1792, in County Tyrone, Ireland. In 1798, Patterson’s father was banished for his part in the Irish Rebellion and the family moved to the United States, settling in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Patterson trained as a businessman. When the War of 1812 broke out, the 20-year-old joined the Pennsylvania militia and rose all the way to colonel before being offered a captain’s commission in the regular army with the 32nd Infantry. He left the service at the conclusion of the war. A grocer and shipper who had become active in Democratic politics, Patterson again left his ventures at the start of the Mexican War. Commissioned as a major general of volunteers, Patterson made his name in Gen. Winfield Scott’s Mexico City Campaign. At Cerro Gordo, Patterson stopped a premature American attack against a strong Mexican position. He also was commended for his part in taking Jalapa. With the end of the war, Patterson returned to expand his business even more, dealing in southern cotton and sugar. At the start of the Civil War, Patterson once again volunteered his services, though he was much older than most volunteers. Despite his age, the offer was accepted, partly because Patterson was extremely popular in his state, especially with its militia. He received a three-month commission as a major general to date from April 27, 1861. The popular Patterson was put to work recruiting in Pennsylvania and commanding the Department of Pennsylvania, which also included Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In late May, he was ordered to recapture Harper’s Ferry, but did so slowly enough to allow the Confederates to evacuate and burn the important arsenal structures. In June, Patterson was ordered to move his men into western Virginia to guard the approaches to Washington, D.C. He moved to Martinsburg, Virginia, chasing a lone Confederate brigade led by Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson. After skirmishing at Falling Waters July 9, his forces occupied Martinsburg. When Gen. Irvin McDowell’s Army of Northeastern Virginia moved against Confederate forces assembled near Manassas Junction, Patterson was ordered to make sure that the troops of Joseph E. Johnston’s Army of the Shenandoah could not reinforce them, which would ensure a significant numerical superiority for McDowell. Johnston was able to move his forces to link up with Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard’s Army of the Potomac because Patterson did not attempt to intervene, and these forces played a decisive roll in achieving a Confederate victory in the war’s first major battle. After the fact, Patterson defended himself by stating he was not ordered to attack Johnston. Patterson’s commission expired July 27 and he was replaced by Gen. Nathaniel Banks. Patterson requested a court of inquiry into Banks’ conduct in western Virginia, but was turned down. Patterson remained a major general in the Pennsylvania militia for the rest of the war, but never again commanded troops on the field. Patterson’s son, Francis Engle Patterson, also served in the war, as a brigadier general of volunteers, but was found dead in his tent near Occoquan, Virginia, on November 22, 1862, killed by what was officially recorded as an “accidental discharge of his own pistol.” Robert Patterson returned to the business world following the war. He died in Philadelphia on August 7, 1881. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 3
Tactical: 1
Initiative: 0
Command: 1
Cavalry:

Start date: 7
“Death” date: 14