Robert Patterson

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This article is about Robert Patterson (1792-1881). For Robert Patterson (1753-1827) see Colonel Robert Patterson. For Robert Porter Patterson, Sr. (1891-1952), U.S. Secretary of War and Judge, see Robert P. Patterson.

Major General Robert Patterson

Robert Patterson (January 12, 1792 – August 7, 1881) was an Irish immigrant and a noted soldier and businessman from Pennsylvania.

Patterson was born in Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. His family was banished from Ireland due to his father's involvement as an insurrectionist. He emigrated to the United States, in 1799, where he eventually became involved in banking at a young age. 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.

He was commissioned a major general of volunteers at the outbreak of the Mexican-American War and commanded the 2nd Division, Army of Occupation, during the Tampico Expedition. He was, at first, considered for command of the expedition to Veracruz, but command 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 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.

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.

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. He died in Philadelphia and is buried there in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

His son-in-law, John Joseph Abercrombie, was also a Civil War general.