Civil War Union Brigadier General. Entered the U.S. Army during the Mexican War as a 2d Lieutenant in the 1st United States Artillery, and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant before the war's end. Remaining in the army, he was posted to the 9th United States Infantry, becoming a Captain in 1855. Resigned in 1857, but returned to the service when the Civil War started. Commissioned Colonel and commander of the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, a 90-day-enlistment militia regiment. Mustered out with his unit in August 1861, he received an appointment as Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers in April 1862. Just before the Battle of Williamsburg, he was given command of the "Second New Jersey Brigade" in the Army of the Potomac's III Cops, which he led at Williamsburg and the Battle of Fair Oaks. In November of that year he led his unit in an unauthorized withdrawal near Catlett's Station, Virginia, which was done on the basis of unconfirmed intelligence about the proximity of Confederate forces. He was roundly criticized by division commander General Daniel Sickles, who called for an inquiry into the matter. On November 22 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 prevails to this day. His father was General Robert Patterson of Mexican War fame, and his brother was Union Brevet Brigadier General Robert E. Patterson, both of whom are buried next to him.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. Entered the U.S. Army during the Mexican War as a 2d Lieutenant in the 1st United States Artillery, and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant before the war's end. Remaining in the army, he was posted to the 9th United States Infantry, becoming a Captain in 1855. Resigned in 1857, but returned to the service when the Civil War started. Commissioned Colonel and commander of the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, a 90-day-enlistment militia regiment. Mustered out with his unit in August 1861, he received an appointment as Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers in April 1862. Just before the Battle of Williamsburg, he was given command of the "Second New Jersey Brigade" in the Army of the Potomac's III Cops, which he led at Williamsburg and the Battle of Fair Oaks. In November of that year he led his unit in an unauthorized withdrawal near Catlett's Station, Virginia, which was done on the basis of unconfirmed intelligence about the proximity of Confederate forces. He was roundly criticized by division commander General Daniel Sickles, who called for an inquiry into the matter. On November 22 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 prevails to this day. His father was General Robert Patterson of Mexican War fame, and his brother was Union Brevet Brigadier General Robert E. Patterson, both of whom are buried next to him.
Bio by: RPD2
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