Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-08-17
CLEARFIELD, Pa, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST II, 1881

into Virginia General Patterson was
instructed to pursue such q line of
military strategy as would prevent a
union of the forces General Joseph Il.
Johnston with those of General Beaure-
gard. This was not done and Gen.
eral Patterson was severely censured
in some quarters. He Immediately
asked for q court of inquiry to examine
all the facts in the case and report the
same. This was refused by the War
Department. He was persistent in his
demands for such court and the re-
fusal to grant il may be taken as q
virtual Endorsement of the campaign
of General Patterson. Indeed, his ac-
tion before the battle of Bull Run is
now admitted by the ablest military
critics of this and other countries to
have been all that could possibly have
beenexpected and required Of q faithful
and talented officer. His plans and
projects for campaigns were interfered
with from Washington, and then when
the end came the whole blame was at
tempted to be fastened upon him and
he was denounced by The very men
whose want of military skill and
knowledge had led to the consequences
deplored. After his retirement from
service by reason of bis term Of ap-
pointment expiring Genera Patterson
wrote and published history of his
campaign in the Valley of the Shenan-
doah, which is now accepted by all fair
men as a full and complete Sindication
of his military career at thai time and
in that location. After his active
service closed he still took deep in
terest in the contest and contributed
literally TO the relief Of the soldiers.
IN CIVIL LIFE.
Up to the close of his life General
Patterson attended closely to his vast
mercantile and manufacturing inter
ests, often remaining at his place Of
business from eight o'clock in the
morning until five o'clock in the after
noon, and doing an amount OF work
that would have appalled, younger
man. In the army he was noted as
strict disciplinarlan and he carried the
same habits into private life. He was
punctual and constant himself and cx-
pected others TO walk in the same
track. He was a useful public citizen,
and no movement to benefit the city
ever missed the name, means or infu.
ence of General Patterson TO aid in its
perfection and application. He was
possessed of large wealth, which he
expended in charity and in dispensing
in hospitality to those who had his
friendship or acquaintance, He was
President of the Aztec Club, an asso.
citation composed OF officers who served
in the war with Mexico, and also Of
the Hibernian Society, of this city.
Long command of military character
had impaired q degree OF positiveness
to his speech which by strangers was
taken as an evidence of stern, un-
yielding disposition. But it was in
manner only. No man had more
keen and true regard for the rights
and feelings Of others than General
Robert Patterson, and by his soldiers
and employees in civil life he was look.
ed upon with sincere and lasting re-
gard and affection. BE was one nf the
old citizens Of Philadelphia, and as
soldier and civilian, business man and
citizen he will be hard to parallel. He
was true patriot an upright man, q
sincere friend, and the people of Phila-
delphia and all parts OF the country
will unite in doing full justice to his
great and unselfish services.
SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS.
As a post. .prandial speaker General
Patterson achieved a peculiar fame.
1t was the exception for him TO decline
q gustatory gathering and he kept
scrupulously a record of all banquets
and public gatherings in which he
participated. He was a remarkable
speaker. His emphasis, sonorous voice,
constant audaciy and utter contempt
for authority were his striking char.
acteristics as an after-dinner talker.
"He conducted himself on these occa-
sions," says an old friend, "as if he
thought everybody stood in awe of
him." To the hdies he was always
diferontial He was profuse in his pro.
fessions of admiration for them and
often recalled the manners of the old
school and regretted that they had
given place to thu new order of things.
Many racy anecdotes are related of
the old soldier which show the various
shadings of his character better than
mere words. AT the dinner given TO
John Henry Ptleston, M. p, at the
Continental Hotel, two years ago, at
which Colonel John W. Forney pre-
sided, the General made himself very
conspicuous. He broke through all
restraint, and even before the meeting
had been fairly opened insisted on
making a speech in honor OF Queen
Victoria. One Of his peculiar delights
was to wake upthe politicians around
the board by touching them on the
raw. On one occasion he caused a
tumult by saying pointedly to a party
ofDemocratic banqueters; "You young
rascals, ! have known your grand.
fathers and your fathers, and il they
were living nowthey would make you
ashamed of yourselves for daring TO
talk the free.trsde doctrines at time
like the present, when even the British
are getting tired OF them" The Gen
eral always prided himself on being q
Democrat, but Notwithstanding this
fact voted Tor General Garheld at the
last election, because General Hancock
did not suit him on the tariff question.
He was very honest in his hatred OF
England, and some very amusing
stories are told in this connection. On
one occasion, at private party, some
one of the guests arose and suggested
that they drink the health OF an En-
glish gentleman present. The old Gen
eral, with kiDdling eye and flushed
cheek rose, and with marked empha.
sis, said, addressing the son of Britain
"I respect you, sir, but - your coun'
try" For some moments the situa-
tion was embarrassing, and then Dan
iel Dougherty arose and, speaking as
if he was an Englishman and the par
ty addressed, made a reply in which
hc apologized for the offensive Ian
guagc. The General was just as iorci
bic in his devotion TO tho Irish, He
was gifted with real Celtic wit and
his supply of bon hommie at times wai
contagious. When inspired by the ex
hilirating concommitants OF the ban
quoting table he became joyous ant
his wit flashed constantly across the
festive board and kept the guests in I
roar. Some years ago he gave o din