1. Robert Patterson served only three months due to his failure to attack Confederate general Joseph E Johnston's troops after the Battle of Hoke's Run.
29 Facts About Robert Patterson
1. 2.
Robert Patterson 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.
3.
Robert Patterson 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.
4.
Robert Patterson was politically active in Pennsylvania as a Jacksonian Democrat.
5.
Robert Patterson was a wealthy businessman and owned 30 cotton mills in Pennsylvania, a sugar plantation in Louisiana and other investments in railroads and steamships.
6.
Robert Patterson's father was associated with Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet and participated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 against the British.
7.
Francis Robert 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.
8.
Robert Patterson received his education in public schools and in 1807, worked in a counting room of a business involved in trade with East India.
9.
Robert Patterson 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.
10.
Robert Patterson served as an assistant quartermaster general and on the staff of brigadier general Joseph Bloomfield.
11.
Robert Patterson served as major general in the Pennsylvania State militia.
12.
In July 1844, in preparation for a planned July 4 nativist parade, Pennsylvania Governor David R Porter assigned Patterson to provide protection to Irish churches in case of a nativist attack.
13.
Robert Patterson led militia into combat with rioting civilians, leading to loss of life on both sides.
14.
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.
15.
Robert Patterson was considered for command of the overall expedition by President James K Polk, however it was given to Winfield Scott instead.
16.
Robert Patterson was Scott's second in command and was placed in command of the expedition's Volunteer Division.
17.
Robert Patterson arrived before Scott at the Siege of Veracruz and overruled a proposed frontal attack of the fortifications by general David E Twiggs.
18.
Robert Patterson led the American pursuit of the Mexican Army and was the first to enter Jalapa.
19.
Robert Patterson was the oldest major general by commission at the start of the Civil War.
20.
Robert Patterson received guidance from Scott to await additional reinforcement and then proceed with caution.
21.
Johnston declared that Robert Patterson's army had largely deterred him from pursuing the shattered and disorganized Union troops as they retreated back to Washington, DC following the battle.
22.
Robert Patterson was criticized for his failure to contain the Confederate forces.
23.
Robert Patterson was honorably discharged and mustered out of the Army on July 27,1861.
24.
Robert Patterson had multiple business interests including 30 cotton mills in Pennsylvania, a sugar plantation in Louisiana and investments in railroad and steamship businesses.
25.
Robert Patterson was influential in Pennsylvania politics as a Jacksonian Democrat.
26.
Robert Patterson was appointed president of the board of visitors to West Point twice - the first time by General Andrew Jackson in 1835 and the second time by President Rutherford B Hayes.
27.
Robert Patterson 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.
28.
Robert Patterson 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.
29.
Robert Patterson died in Philadelphia on August 7,1881, at age 89, and was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery.