John Patterson (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
John Thomas Patterson served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. He received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Second Battle of Winchester.
Patterson was born in rural Morgan County, Ohio
, near McConnelsville
. He married Lizzie E. Bell on January 1, 1862.
to Principal Musician on October 8 of that year.
On June 14, 1863, Patterson was wounded during the Second Battle of Winchester while he was rescuing a fellow soldier. For his valor, he received the Medal of Honor
.
After rescuing a fellow soldier, Patterson was taken prisoner and held for a time at Belle Isle
and Libby Prison
. After being released he was present at the final Battle of Appomattox Court House, along with the rest of his regiment. He was mustered out with his company on June 26, 1865.
, in Juneau County, Wisconsin
. He served as chairman of the town board during this time.
In November 1885, he moved with his wife and children to the county seat of Mauston
. Patterson was elected and served for years as county surveyor
for Juneau County, from about 1889 to 1915. Patterson also served as a member of the Juneau County board, and as an officer for Mauston.
After his wife, Lizzie, died in about 1902, Patterson married Sarah Harris in about 1906. Patterson later lived in Mauston, Wisconsin
. He died in 1922.
His companion, Pvt. Elbridge Robinson
, also of the 122nd Ohio, also received the Medal of Honor.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
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...
. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the Second Battle of Winchester.
Patterson was born in rural Morgan County, Ohio
Morgan County, Ohio
**----...
, near McConnelsville
McConnelsville, Ohio
McConnelsville is a village in Morgan County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,676 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County. As of October 19 2011, the mayor is John Walter Finley.-Geography:...
. He married Lizzie E. Bell on January 1, 1862.
Civil War service
Patterson joined the Union Army in McConnelsville on August 22, 1862. He joined Company C of the 122nd Ohio Infantry, which mustered in on October 2, 1862. He was promoted from MusicianMusician (rank)
Musician is a rank equivalent to Private held by members of the Corps of Army Music of the British Army. The rank was also previously used in the United States Army.-United States:...
to Principal Musician on October 8 of that year.
On June 14, 1863, Patterson was wounded during the Second Battle of Winchester while he was rescuing a fellow soldier. For his valor, he received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
After rescuing a fellow soldier, Patterson was taken prisoner and held for a time at Belle Isle
Belle Isle (Virginia)
Belle Isle is a small island in the James River in Richmond, Virginia in the United States. Belle Isle is owned by the city of Richmond, and has been designated a city park. It is accessible to pedestrian and bicycle traffic via a suspension footbridge that runs under the Robert E. Lee Bridge from...
and Libby Prison
Libby Prison
Libby Prison was a Confederate Prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It gained an infamous reputation for the harsh conditions under which prisoners from the Union Army were kept.- Overview :...
. After being released he was present at the final Battle of Appomattox Court House, along with the rest of his regiment. He was mustered out with his company on June 26, 1865.
Life after the Civil War
After the war, Patterson moved with his wife to a farm in the town of SummitSummit, Juneau County, Wisconsin
Summit is a town in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 623 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.9 square miles , of which, 36.9 square miles of it is land and 0.03% is water.-Notable...
, in Juneau County, Wisconsin
Juneau County, Wisconsin
Juneau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,316. Its county seat is Mauston. It should not, however, be confused with the city of Juneau, Wisconsin, to which it has no connection.-Geography:...
. He served as chairman of the town board during this time.
In November 1885, he moved with his wife and children to the county seat of Mauston
Mauston, Wisconsin
Mauston is a city in and the county seat of Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population is 4,411 according to the 2010 census.-History:...
. Patterson was elected and served for years as county surveyor
County surveyor
1. A county surveyor is a public official in many counties of the USA. At the bottom of this page are working "External Links" as at 4 November 2011 to websites of a selection of such County Surveyor's departments. Most of these officials are elected on the partisan ballot to four-year terms...
for Juneau County, from about 1889 to 1915. Patterson also served as a member of the Juneau County board, and as an officer for Mauston.
After his wife, Lizzie, died in about 1902, Patterson married Sarah Harris in about 1906. Patterson later lived in Mauston, Wisconsin
Mauston, Wisconsin
Mauston is a city in and the county seat of Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population is 4,411 according to the 2010 census.-History:...
. He died in 1922.
Medal of Honor citation
His award citation reads:- With one companion, voluntarily went in front of the Union lines, under a heavy fire from the enemy, and carried back a helpless, wounded comrade, thus saving him from death or capture.
His companion, Pvt. Elbridge Robinson
Elbridge Robinson
Elbridge Robinson was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Second Battle of Winchester, Virginia on June 14, 1863.-Medal of Honor citation:...
, also of the 122nd Ohio, also received the Medal of Honor.