Robert Patterson
| Robert Patterson | |
|---|---|
Robert Patterson, portrait made during Mexican-American War
|
|
| Born |
January 12, 1792 Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland |
| Died | August 7, 1881 (aged 89) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
Regular Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1815; 1846–1848; 1861 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held | Pennsylvania Militia Army of the Shenandoah |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | cotton miller, writer |
Robert Patterson (January 20, 1792 – August 7, 1881) was an Irish-born United States major general during the American Civil War, chiefly remembered for inflicting an early defeat on Stonewall Jackson, but crucially failing to stop Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston from joining forces with P.G.T. Beauregard at the First Battle of Bull Run. He is still blamed for this historic Union defeat.
Patterson was born in Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. His family was banished from Ireland due to his father's involvement as an insurrectionist. In 1799 he emigrated to the United States, where he eventually became involved in banking at a young age. Patterson received his education in public schools and afterward became a clerk in a Philadelphia counting house. He volunteered for service during the War of 1812 and rose from captain to colonel in the 2nd Pennsylvania Militia before joining the United States Army. He served in the Quartermaster General Department and was discharged in 1815 as a captain. After the war, Patterson returned to commercial pursuits in manufacturing and established several mills. He became influential in politics in Pennsylvania. Patterson was one of the five Col. Pattersons in the Pennsylvania Convention that nominated Andrew Jackson for the presidency and in 1836 was President of the Electoral College that cast the vote for Martin Van Buren.
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Wikipedia