Francis E. Patterson
Encyclopedia
Francis Engle Patterson was a US Army general who died during the American Civil War
.
Patterson was born in Philadelphia to Irish-American army officer Robert Patterson
(himself a general during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War) and Sarah Engle. His brother was brevet brigadier general
Robert Emmet Patterson, and 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 artillery. He was promoted to first lieutenant
the same year.
After the war, he continued serving in the army, transferring to the infantry. He was promoted to captain in 1855, and resigned in 1857. He rejoined the army in April 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War, and was commissioned a colonel
in the Pennsylvania militia, serving under his father. He was promoted to brigadier general in April 1862, and was given command of the 2nd New Jersey Brigade.
His career came to an end later 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 fellow general Daniel Sickles
, who called for an inquiry on the matter. Before an investigation could be conducted however, Patterson died from a gunshot wound near Occoquan, Virginia
, either due to an accidental weapon's discharge or suicide. He was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery
, Philadelphia. His father and brother were later buried next to him.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Patterson was born in Philadelphia to Irish-American army officer Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson
Robert Patterson was a United States major general during the Mexican-American War and at the beginning of the American Civil War...
(himself a general during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War) and Sarah Engle. His brother was brevet brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Robert Emmet Patterson, and he was brother-in-law to another Union general, John Joseph Abercrombie
John Joseph Abercrombie
John Joseph Abercrombie was a career United States Army officer who served in numerous wars, finally reaching the rank of brigadier general during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
. Like his father, he entered the army during the Mexican-American War, and was commissioned a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the artillery. He was promoted to first lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
the same year.
After the war, he continued serving in the army, transferring to the infantry. He was promoted to captain in 1855, and resigned in 1857. He rejoined the army in April 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War, and was commissioned a colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Pennsylvania militia, serving under his father. He was promoted to brigadier general in April 1862, and was given command of the 2nd New Jersey Brigade.
His career came to an end later 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 fellow general Daniel Sickles
Daniel Sickles
Daniel Edgar Sickles was a colorful and controversial American politician, Union general in the American Civil War, and diplomat....
, who called for an inquiry on the matter. Before an investigation could be conducted however, Patterson died from a gunshot wound near Occoquan, Virginia
Occoquan, Virginia
Occoquan is a town in Prince William County in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 759 at the 2000 census, but as of the census of 2010, there were 934 people residing in the town of Occoquan. The town is a suburb of Washington, D.C. and is adjacent to Woodbridge...
, either due to an accidental weapon's discharge or suicide. He was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the second major garden or rural cemetery in the United States. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998, one of only a few cemeteries to receive the distinction....
, Philadelphia. His father and brother were later buried next to him.