Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson (January 12, 1792 – August 7, 1881) was an Irish-born American military officer who served in the United States Army during the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.

He was the commander of the Pennsylvania Militia during the Philadelphia nativist riots, and was politically active in Pennsylvania as a Jacksonian Democrat. He was a wealthy businessman and owned 30 cotton mills in Pennsylvania, a sugar plantation in Louisiana and other investments in railroads and steamships.

In the Mexican-American War, Patterson was a major general and served as second in command to Winfield Scott. He fought at the Siege of Veracruz and the Battle of Cerro Gordo.

Patterson was a major general at the start of the Civil War. He served only three months due to his failure to attack Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston's troops after the Battle of Hoke's Run. This allowed Johnston to support P. G. T. Beauregard and give the Union Army their first defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run.

Patterson was widely blamed for the Union loss at Bull Run and defended his Civil War performance in his book, A Narrative of the Campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah, in 1861, published in 1865.

Early life and education

Patterson was born on January 12, 1792, in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, to Francis Patterson and Ann Graham. His father was associated with Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet and participated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 against the British. Francis Patterson was convicted for his part in the rebellion and sentenced to be hanged, however his family connections intervened and the sentence was commuted and he was banished from Ireland instead.

In the fall of 1798, Patterson and his family emigrated to the United States and settled in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He received his education in public schools and in 1807, worked in a counting room of a business involved in trade with East India.

Military career

War of 1812

He volunteered for service during the War of 1812 and rose to the rank of colonel in the Pennsylvania Militia and captain in the United States Army.

He served as an assistant quartermaster general and on the staff of brigadier general Joseph Bloomfield. He was discharged in 1815 as a captain.

Pennsylvania Militia

Patterson served as major general in the Pennsylvania State militia. Patterson helped quell the Philadelphia nativist riots against Irish Catholics, which resulted in the destruction of St. Michael's and St. Augustine's Churches. The first riot took place in Kensington in May, and another took place in the Southwark section of the city in July. Patterson led militia into combat with rioting civilians, leading to loss of life on both sides.

Mexican-American War

At the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, Patterson was commissioned a major general of volunteers and given command of the 2nd division of the Army of Occupation He was considered for command of the overall expedition by President James K. Polk, however it was given to Winfield Scott instead. and was wounded.

On July 3, Patterson occupied Martinsburg, West Virginia, but remained inactive until July 15 when he marched to Bunker Hill. Instead of continuing to Winchester, Virginia, Patterson turned east and then retreated to Harpers Ferry. This took pressure off of Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in the Shenandoah Valley and he was able to march his troops and reinforce the Confederates under P.G.T. Beauregard at the First Battle of Bull Run. Scott's series of orders to Patterson had been less than clear and somewhat contradictory. This led to Patterson's failure to hold Johnston in the Valley and prevented him from reinforcing Beauregard.

Nevertheless, Johnston declared that Patterson's army had largely deterred him from pursuing the shattered and disorganized Union troops as they retreated back to Washington, D.C. following the battle. After multiple messages encouraging Patterson to attack, Scott replaced Patterson with general Nathaniel P. Banks on July 19, 1861. Patterson was criticized for his failure to contain the Confederate forces. He was honorably discharged and mustered out of the Army on July 27, 1861.

Business career

Patterson had multiple business interests including 30 cotton mills in Pennsylvania, a sugar plantation in Louisiana

After the Civil War, Patterson defended his Civil War performance in his book, A Narrative of the Campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah, in 1861, published in 1865.

He was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a trustee of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, from 1826 to 1835, and president of the college's board of trustees from 1876 to 1881.

Death and legacy

thumb|Patterson's memorial and tombstone in [[Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania]]

Patterson died in Philadelphia on August 7, 1881, at age 89, At his funeral, his pallbearers included Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, Fitz John Porter and Winfield Scott Hancock.

Patterson's mansion at the southwest corner of 13th and Locust Streets in Philadelphia was purchased from John Hare Powel in 1836. After Patterson's death in 1881, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania purchased the mansion to use as the society's headquarters. Between 1905 and 1909, the mansion was demolished, and a new building on the site was dedicated in 1910. Some of the foundation and fireplace mantels from the original mansion still remain.

Published works

A Narrative of the Campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah, in 1861., Philadelphia: Sherman & Co., 1865

References

Notes

Sources

Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001,