Robert Patterson Friends & Acquaintances - v1 Short

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Robert Patterson (b.12 Jan 1792 d. 7 Aug 1881) was an Irish-born American military officer who served as a United States Army major general during the Mexican–American War (1846 to 1848) and a Union Army major general during the American Civil War (12 April 1861 to 26 May 1865). During the Mexican-American War, he served as second in command to Winfield Scott (b.1786 d.1866) and fought at the Siege of Veracruz (9 to 29 March 1847) and the Battle of Cerro Gordo (18 April 1847).

 

At the start of the Civil War, he was 69 years of age and the oldest commissioned major-general. He served only three months due to his failure to attack Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's (b.1807 d.1891) troops after the Battle of Hoke's Run on 2nd July 1861. This allowed Johnston to support P. G. T. Beauregard (b.1818 d.1893) which gave the Union Army their first defeat at the 1st Battle of Bull Run (21 July 1861). He was widely blamed for the Union loss at Bull Run and defended his Civil War performance with his book, A Narrative of the Campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah, in 1861, published in 1865.

 

He served as an officer in the Pennsylvania Militia and United States Army during the War of 1812 and as commander of the Pennsylvania Militia during the Philadelphia Nativist Riots (6 to 8 May & 6 & 7 July 1844). He was politically active in Pennsylvania as a Jacksonian Democrat.

 

Early life and education

Robert Patterson was born on 12 Jan 1792, in Strabane, Co. Tyrone, Ireland, to Francis Patterson (b.1765 d.1845) and Nancy Ann Graham (b.1772 d.1859) fom Cavanalee townland, Camus parish, Co. Tyrone. Robert was grandson of Robert Patterson (b.1745 d.?) and Ann Fullerton (b.1743 d.?) and Thomas Graham (b.1739 d.1763), Cavanalee townland, Camus parish, Co. Tyrone (which is approx. 4.17Km (2.6miles) south East of Strabane Town centre) and Jane Jean McBeth (b.c.1743 d.1787) from Balindrait, Co. Donegal.

 

Francis and Ann had 5 siblings, three sons and two daughters:

1. Robert Patterson (b.1792 d.1881).

2. James Morehead Patterson (b.1798 d.1889) who on 22 March 1832 married Margaret G Fulkersonin Lee (b.1807 d1879), Virginia, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 2 daughters.

3. Frances Jane Patterson (b.1806 d.1881) who in 1833 married Dr. James Fulkerson (b.1796 d.1859) and had 9 children.

4. William Chamberlain Patterson (b.1813 d.1883) who on 2 May 1837 married Caroline Ellmaker (b.1815 d.1877). They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 4 daughters.

5. Mary Ann Patterson (b.1841 d.1886) who married an Irish man, William Houston (b.1792 d.1862) and had one child Mary L Houston (b.1828 d.?).

 

His father was associated with Theobald Wolfe Tone (b.1763 d.1798) and Irish Republican, orator and rebel leader Robert Emmet (b.1778 d.1803) and participated in the Irish Rising of 1798 against the British Crown. A bloody but failed revolt which attempted to found an Irish Republic but which was ruthlessly crushed after three uncoordinated outbreaks in Leinster, Ulster and Connacht in the summer of that year.

 

Francis Patterson was arrested by the British, tried and sentenced to be hanged for his part in the rebellion. However, the loyalty of the Grahams to the Crown and the influence of the Marquis of Abercorn (whose sister had married one of the Graham’s) induced the government to commute the death sentence of Francis Patterson to banishment from his native land. In the autumn of 1798, Robert was 6 years old the family reached America and settled in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. In 1807, aged 15 he entered the counting room of a Mr. Thompson, who was engaged in the East India trade, where he remained until he entered the army at the age of 20, in the "War of 1812”, after the United States declared war on Britain.

 

Marriage & Children

On 12 December 1817, Robert Patterson aged 25 married Sarah Anne Engle (b.1792 d.1875) also aged 25 from Germantown, Philadelphia, daughter of Lutenant James Engle (b.1757 d.1821) and Margaret Adams Engle (b.1760 d.1821).

Robert & Sarah had 6 children:

1. Mary Engle Patterson Abercrombie (b.1818 d.1874), on 26 June 1840 maried Brigadier-General John Joseph Abercrombie Sr. (b.1798 d.1877). They had nine children, 3 boys and 6 girls.

2. Colonel Francis Engle Patterson (b.1821 d.1862). He was found dead in his tent due to a gunshot, which was officially deemed an "accidental discharge of his own pistol", but speculation that it was suicide. He never married.

3. Susan Engle Patterson Snowden (b.1823 d.1897) who married 13 Sept 1848, Hon. James Ross Snowden (b.1809 d.1878) they had 6 children, three sons and three daughters.

4. Brev Brig. Gen. Robert Emmet Patterson (b.1830 d.1906) married 8 October 1857, Mary Louisa Houston (b.1828 d.1908) and Caroline Francisco (b.1845 d.1920) and had 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters.

5. Louise Hortensia Patterson Lynde (b.1828 d.1905) married 3 Apr 1862, Major Joseph Warner Lynde (b.1825 d.1867) and has one child.

6. Colonel William Houston Patterson (b.1832 d.1904), married 1 Sept 1859, Cornelia Graham (b.1840 d.1916) in Claiborne, Tennessee, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 4 daughters.

 

Francis Engle Patterson.

Francis Patterson was born in Philadelphia, His brother was brevet Brigadier General Robert Emmet Patterson, he was brother-in-law to another Union general, John Joseph Abercrombie. Like his father, he entered the army during the Mexican-American War, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Artillery (24 June 1847 - 28 Oct 1847). He was promoted to first lieutenant 29 Oct 1847. After the war, Patterson transferred to the 9th U.S. Infantry where he was promoted to captain, 3 March 1855; he resigned 1 May 1857.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Patterson rejoined the army and was commissioned colonel of the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 25 April 1861. He was promoted to brigadier general in the United States Volunteers on 11 April 1862 and placed in command of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, III Corps, Army of the Potomac.

His career came to an end in 1862 after he allegedly conducted an unauthorized withdrawal at Catlett's Station due to unconfirmed reports of Confederate forces nearby. He was criticized by his division commander Daniel Sickles, who relieved him of command and called for an inquiry on the matter. Before an investigation could be conducted however, Patterson died from a gunshot wound in his tent at Fairfax Court House, near Occoquan, Virginia, either due to an accidental weapon discharge or suicide.

Francis is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father and brother were later buried next to him.

 

 

Brev Brig. Gen. Robert Emmet Patterson

When Brev Brig. Gen. Robert Emmet Patterson was born on 8 September 1830, in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his father, Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson, was 38 and his mother, Sarah Ann Engle, was 38.

The younger Robert Emmet Patterson graduated from West Point in 1851 and gained on-the-ground experience in the American West before organizing the 115th Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers in early November 1861. Volunteers in this unit attached to the Army of the Potomac pledged three years of service. The younger Patterson commanded the 115th until December 1862, when he resigned to recruit more soldiers on a full-time basis. During his twelve months of active service, the younger Patterson fought at the Battle of Malvern Hill; the Battle of Bristoe Station; the Battle of Second Manassas (Bull Run); the Battle of Chantilly; and the Battle of Fredericksburg. After young Patterson's discharge, the 115th Pennsylvania Infantry would see action at some of the most significant engagements of the Civil War, including the Battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and many others.

He married Mary Louisa Houston on 8 October 1857, in Claiborne, Tennessee. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Abington Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvania in 1870 and Cheltenham Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvania in 1880.

He died on 14 July 1906, in Winnetka, New Trier Township, Cook, Illinois, at the age of 75, and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beside his father and brother.

 

Colonel William Houston Patterson

was born on 13 December 1832, in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his father, Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson, was 40 and his mother, Sarah Ann Engle, was 40. He married Cornelia Graham on 1 September 1859, in Claiborne, Tennessee. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 4 daughters. He lived in Civil District 4, Claiborne, Tennessee, for about 10 years and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1900. He died on 13 September 1904, in Russellville, Hamblen, Tennessee, United States, at the age of 71, and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

Mary Engle Patterson

was born on 12 July 1818, in South Carolina, her father, Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson, was 26 and her mother, Sarah Ann Engle, was 26. She married Brigadier-General John Joseph Abercrombie Sr. on 26 June 1840, in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 6 daughters.

1. Sarah "Sallie" Iowa Abercrombie Goodman (b.1842 d.1935)

2. John Joseph Abercrombie III (b.1845 d.1919)

3. Mary Ernestine Abercrombie Appleton (b.1846 d.1869)

4. Caroline Louise Abercrombie Coale (b.1849 d.1919)

5. Francis "Frank" Patterson Abercrombie (b.1852 d.1939)

6. Clara De Normandie Abercrombie (b.1854 d.1942)

7. Susan Engle Abercrombie Wilson (b.1856 d.1934)

8. William Ralph Abercrombie (b.1858 d.1943)

9. Ida Abercrombie Newlin (b.1860 d.1888)

She lived in Todd, Minnesota, in 1860 and New York in 1870. She died on 14 August 1874, at the age of 56, and was buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

Susan Engle Patterson

was born on 19 October 1824, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, her father, Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson, was 32 and her mother, Sarah Ann Engle, was 32. She married James Ross Snowden on 13 September 1848, in Dauphin, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 4 daughters. She lived in Pennsylvania, in 1870 and Hulmeville, Bucks, Pennsylvania, in 1880. She died on 11 February 1897, in Philadelphia, at the age of 72, and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

Louise Hortensia Patterson

was born on 21 May 1828, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, her father, Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson, was 36 and her mother, Sarah Ann Engle, was 36. She married 3 Apr 1862 at the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Major Joseph Warner Lynde who was born 1825 Waterville Oneida County New York. They had one children a boy Francis E. P. Lynde (b.1863 d.1907). Joseph died 6 December 1867, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while Louise died on 4 May 1905 in Manhattan, New York.

 

Pennsylvania Militia

Patterson served as major general in the Pennsylvania State militia. He helped quell rioting in Philadelphia in 1838. In July 1844, in preparation for a planned 4th July nativist parade, Pennsylvania Governor David R. Porter (b.1788 d.1867) assigned Patterson to provide protection to Irish churches in case of a nativist attack. 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 under Brigadier General Gideon J. Pillow (b.1806 d.1878). He was considered for command of the overall expedition by 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk (b.1795 d.1849), however it was given to Winfield Scott instead. He was Scott's second in command and was placed in command of the expedition's Volunteer Division. He arrived before Scott at the Siege of Veracruz and overruled a proposed frontal attack of the fortifications by General David E. Twiggs (b.1790 d.1862). He fought at the Battle of Cerro Gordo along with the future Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and was wounded.

In a book on his service in the Mexican-American War, J. Jacob Oswandel (b.1825 d.1889) praised Patterson for his service as Quartermaster, ensuring the troops were well supplied. However, he also reports that some troops did not think highly of him and that "They think, like a good many others, that he is braver before going into the battle than in the midst of the battle."

Patterson 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.

 

American Civil War

In April 1861, he was mustered into service for the American Civil War as a Union Army major general of Pennsylvania volunteers and commanded the Department of Pennsylvania and the Army of the Shenandoah under the command of Winfield Scott (b.1786 d.1866). He was the oldest major general by commission at the start of the Civil War.

His son Francis Engle Patterson and his son-in-law John Joseph Abercrombie (b.1798 d.1877) also served as Union Army generals during the Civil War.

 

In June, Patterson took command of the Pennsylvania volunteers at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, with orders to retake Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. He received guidance from Winfield Scott to await additional reinforcement and then proceed with caution. While underway, he received additional communication from Scott that Joseph E. Johnston was prepared to make "a desperate stand" at Harper's Ferry.

On 2nd July, Patterson encountered Confederate Brigadier General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (b.1824 d.1863) at the Battle of Hoke's Run and forced his troops into retreat. Jackson was ordered to slow the advance of Patterson's troops and did so with a fighting retreat. On 3 July 1861, Patterson occupied Martinsburg, West Virginia, but remained inactive until 15 July 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.

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 (b.1816 d.1894) on 19 July 1861. Patterson was criticized for his failure to contain the Confederate forces, he was honorably discharged and mustered out of the Army on 27 July 1861.

 

Business career

Patterson had multiple business interests including 30 cotton mills in Pennsylvania, a sugar plantation in Louisiana (In 1861, Louisiana's sugar industry was booming, with the state producing 230,000 tons of sugar, a hundred-fold increase from 1850. This was the last crop to be produced entirely by slave labor) and investments in railroad and steamship businesses. After the Civil War, Patterson defended his Civil War performance with his book, ”A Narrative of the Campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah, in 1861”, published in 1865.

 

Political career

Patterson was influential in Pennsylvania politics as a Jacksonian Democrat. He was one of the five Col. Pattersons in the Pennsylvania Convention who nominated Andrew Jackson (b.1767 d.1845) for the presidency and in 1836 was President of the Pennsylvania Electoral College that cast the vote for the 8th president of the United States, Martin Van Buren (b.1782 d.1862).

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During the contested election of President Rutherford B. Hayes (b.1822 d.1893), Patterson was asked by President Ulysses S. Grant (b.1822 d.1885) to travel to Washington, D.C. and negotiate with congressional members from the South.

 

Personal life

His wife, Sarah was an intellectual woman and gifted musician, whose love of society and gracious charm of manner rendered her fit for her distinguished husbands position.

 

He was appointed twice as president of the Board of Visitors to West Point, the first time in 1835 by General Andrew Jackson (b.1767 d.1845) and the second time by 19th President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes.

 

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.

 

He was president of the Aztec Club of 1847 from 1867 to 1881 and was a Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. During his tenure as President of the Aztec Club, the club successfully changed from a military society to a hereditary one.

 

Death and legacy

Patterson died in Philadelphia on 7, Aug 1881, at the age of 89, and was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery East, Section K, Lot 38. The funeral service were conducted by the Rev. John DeWitt (b.1842 d.1923), Pastor of the 10th Presbyterian Church, of which the deceased was a member and F. N. Miller D. D. and the Rev. William Blackwood (b.1804 d.1893), of the 9th Presbyterian Church.

 

 

At his funeral, the pallbearers included Ulysses S. Grant (b.1822 d.1885), William Tecumseh Sherman (b.1820 d.1891), Fitz John Porter (b.1822 d.1901), and Winfield Scott Hancock (b.1824 d.1886), Joseph Patterson, Hon. John Welsh (b.1805 d.1886), Judge John Craig Biddle (b.1823 d.1910), and William Heyward Drayton (b.1817 d.1892).

 

The following generals were also in attenance, Gershom Mott (b.1822 d.1884), Charles Paine Herring (b1829 d.1889), John McAllister Schofield (b.1831 d.1906), Robert Smith LaMotte (b.1825 d.1888), William Hoffman (b.1807 d.1884), Daniel Edgar Sickles (b.1819 d.1914), Zealous Bates Tower (b.1819 d.1900), John Frederic Hartranft (b.1830 d.1889), George A.H. Blake (b.1810 d.1884), and civilians, ex-govoner, James Pollock (b.1810 d.1890), George William Childs (b.1829 d.1894), and the Hon. William Darrah Kelley (b.1814 d.1890) and many more.

 

Patterson's mansion at the southwest corner of 13th and Locust Streets in Philadelphia was purchased from John Hare Powel (b.1786 d.1856) 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.

Done