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

gained Well-merlteu praise from MS
superior officers. There were no better
soldiers to train young officers than
Scott, Gaines and Ripley, and the after
career of Captain Patterson showed
that he had been "baptized in fire and
turned out steel"
After the peace Of 1915 Captain
Patterson resigned his commission in
the regular army and once more EN-.
barked in mercantile and commercial
pursuits. In business as in war he
was self reliant and energetic, yet
calm, wise and prudent. He looked
at all sides of transaction carefully
and when he came TO a conclusion
pushed it through with pluck and de-
termination. Ho was not rash in busi-
ness, but he was progressive and kept
fully abreast with the wants and de-
mands of the times. Thus he soon
became ono of the leading merchants
of the city, and his isstanding and credit
acknowledged both here and IN all parts
of the country, He dealt largely in
the staple products Of the South and
was also engaged to some extent in
growth of cotton. Later in life he
entered the lists as q manufactures of
cotton fabrics and had more than
thirty mills under his ownership and
special charge. At that time his bust
ness transactions amounted to millions
per year.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
The retirement of Captain Patter-
son from the regular army IN 1915 did
not diminish his love for the military.
He at once connected himself with the
volunteer service of Pennsylvania,
raised and commanded a company, and
mounted, grade by grade, until he
became Major General of the First Di-
vision of Pennsylvania Volunteers in
1928. This office he held moro than
forty years. Indeed, General Patter-
son may be termed with entire truth
the father of the volunteer system in
this part Of the State, if not in all sec
tions Of the Commonwealth, In 1880,
when the disturbance took place in
Harrisburg, familiarly known as the
"Buckshot War" General Patterson,
by orders from the Governor, led his
command to the State Capital, and by
wise and determined course of action
intimidated the riotous element and
preserved the peace without firing
gun or shedding o drop of blood His
conduct on this occasion met with gen.
eral commentator from good citizens
in all parts Of the State. In 1874
General Patterson had most delicate
duty TO perform in reference to the
riots of that year in this city. He
handled the military force with skill
and judgment, and since that time no
similar occasion has demanded simi-
lar remedy.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
When Mexico initiated war on the
Rio Grande in 1916 General Patterson
was appointed by President Polk a
Major General 10 the army, and
abandoning his business he at once re-
paired to the scene Of action. Report
ing to General Taylor, who had com.
mand of the forces on the northern
line, he was assigned to the RESPONSE
bic duty of disciplining the raw re.
cruits and fitting them for the field.
This requires rare soldierly ability,
and General Patterson discharged
it in such manner as TO re.
ceive the thanks of General Taylor.
Subsequent to this General Patterson
was appointed to command the expe-
dition against Tampico. During the
march from the Rio Grande tothis place
he was 80 i'll that he was carried on a
bed but he insisted on proceeding and
accomplished the object of the expedi-
ton. He then joined General Scott
at Vera Cruz, and, although still sick
from his old complaint, was lifted into
the saddle at Cerro Gordo, led the
troops at that hard.fought battle and
brilliant victory and secured the COM
mendations OF the General.in- Chief.
He accompanied the army to the City
Of Mexico and when General Scott
was relieved from command was named
as Military Chief, with his headquar.
ters in the Halls of the Montezumas.
When peace was declared General
Patterson was entrusted with the duty
of Withdrawing the American forces
from the country, which he executed
in a mastery manner. No disturbance
occurred and all the property Of the
Nation was accounted for to penny.
Though now somewhat advanced in
life, General Patterson still remained
in command of the First Division of
Pennsylvania, and held this position on
the 18th OF April, 1861, when the
President Of the United States, in view
Of the action OF the Southern States,
issued call for $4,000 men to serve
for three months. The quota of this
State under the requisition was sixteen
regiments. On the 10th of April
Governor Curtin appointed General
Patterson to command the troops
raised by Pennsylvania. Immediately
after this General Patterson, by order
OF Simon Cameron, Secretary of War,
was placed in command of the Depart
ment of Washington, which embraced
the States of Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland and the District OF Colum-
bia, with headquarters al Philadelphia
Upon taking command OF the forces
General Patterson at once seized An
napolis and by that movement at once
opened communication with Washing
ton, which had been closed by the ac.
ton Of the people Of Baltimore. The
latter road was also subsequently,
cleared of distractions by his orders.
At this point in the contest General
Patterson, almost alone, adequately
measured its magnitude, and on the
25th of April, 1861 he made a requisi-
ton on the Governor of Pennsylvania
for twenty five regiments Of volunteers,
in addition to those called for by the
Secretary OF War. Governor Curtin
responded promptly, but Secretary
Cameron declined TO accept any moro
regiments, declaring that he preferred
less men instead Of more. Governor
Curtin, however, induced the Legisla.
turo TO act upon the suggestion of
General Patterson, organize the twen.
ty.five regiments, and from this origin
sprang the "Pennsylvania Reserves" "
who acted such gallant part during
the war.
Gen. Patterson assumed command
of the troops at Chambersburg, June
3, 1861, and proposed as the initial
movement an attack on the Maryland
Heights, near Harper's Ferry, then
held by the Confederate forces. This
proposition was not accepted by Gen.
eral Scott the Commander.in.C Chief