Robert Patterson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Robert Patterson | |
|---|---|
| January 12, 1792 – August 7, 1881 | |
 Robert Patterson, portrait made during Mexican-American War |
|
| Place of birth | Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland |
| Place of death | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | Regular Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1813–15 (USA) 1861 (USA) |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Pennsylvania Militia Army of the Shenandoah |
| Battles/wars | Mexican-American War
|
| Other work | cotton miller, writer |
Robert Patterson (January 12, 1792 – August 7, 1881)[1] was a United States major general during the Mexican-American War and at the beginning of the American Civil War.
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[edit] Early life and War of 1812
Patterson was born in Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. His family was banished from Ireland due to his father's involvement as an insurrectionist. In 1799 he emigrated to the United States, where he eventually became involved in banking at a young age. Patterson received his education in public schools and afterwards became a clerk in a Philadelphia counting house.[1] He volunteered for service during the War of 1812 and rose from captain to colonel in the 2nd Pennsylvania Militia before joining the U.S. Army. He served in the Quartermaster General Department and was discharged in 1815 as a captain. After the war, he became influential in politics in Pennsylvania.[2]
[edit] Mexican-American War service
Commissioned a major general of volunteers at the outbreak of the Mexican-American War[1] and commanding the 2nd Division, Army of Occupation, during the Tampico Expedition, Patterson was considered for command of the expedition to Veracruz which eventually went to Winfield Scott. He was, however, placed in command of its Volunteer Division and saw action during the Siege of Veracruz and at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, where he was wounded. He led the American pursuit of the Mexican Army and was the first to enter Jalapa. While the U.S. Army was stationed at Jalapa, Patterson returned to the U.S. with other volunteer units whose enlistment time had expired. He then resumed his business interests in Pennsylvania, where he acquired 30 cotton mills and became quite wealthy. He again was an influential figure in Philadelphia politics.[2]
[edit] Civil War service
The American Civil War brought him back military service. He was appointed major general of Pennsylvania volunteers and commanded the Department of Pennsylvania and the Army of the Shenandoah. In 1861, Winfield Scott, now General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army, gave Patterson vague orders to retake Harpers Ferry. Patterson failed to immediately act on these orders, was outmaneuvered at the Battle of Hoke's Run, and a Confederate army at Winchester, Virginia, under Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, was able to march and reinforce the Confederates at the First Battle of Bull Run. Patterson, widely criticized for his failure to contain the enemy forces, received an honorable discharge and mustered out of the Army in late July 1861.[2]
[edit] Postbellum
Patterson again returned to his cotton milling business and wrote a book, A Narrative of the Campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah, in 1861, published in 1865.[2] He was also President of the Aztec Club from 1867 to 1881.[1] Patterson died in Philadelphia and is buried there in Laurel Hill Cemetery. His son Francis Engle Patterson and his son-in-law John Joseph Abercrombie were both also Union generals during the American Civil War.
[edit] Notes
- Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
