George S. Patton Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George S. Patton Sr.
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| Birth name | George Patton |
| Born | June 26, 1833 Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Died | September 25, 1864 (aged 31) Winchester, Virginia |
| Buried |
Stonewall Cemetery, Winchester, Virginia
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| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1852–61 (USA) 1861–64 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 22nd Virginia Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
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| Relations | Waller Tazewell Patton (brother) George S. Patton (son) George S. Patton (grandson) |
George Patton Sr. (born June 26, 1833 – died September 25, 1864) was a Confederate colonel during the American Civil War. He is well-known as the grandfather of the famous World War II general, George S. Patton. He was also the great-grandfather of Major General George Patton IV.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Smith Patton was born on June 26, 1833. His birthplace was Fredericksburg, Virginia. He grew up in Richmond. His father, John Mercer Patton, was a politician.
George went to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He graduated in 1852. He was the second-best student in his class of 24. After college, he studied law. He then worked as a lawyer in Charleston, Virginia. This area is now part of West Virginia. In 1855, he married Susan Thornton Glassell.
Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, George Patton joined the Confederate army. He served in the 22nd Virginia Infantry regiment. He started as a captain. He quickly rose through the ranks to become a colonel.
He was wounded several times during the war.
- On July 17, 1861, he was shot in the shoulder. This happened at the Battle of Scary Creek in what is now West Virginia.
- Later, he was wounded in the stomach at Giles Court House.
Final Battle and Legacy
Colonel Patton fought in the Third Battle of Winchester. This battle is also known as the Battle of Opequon. During this fight, he was badly wounded. He died on September 25, 1864, from his injuries. He was buried at Stonewall Cemetery in Winchester.
The Confederate Congress had decided to promote Colonel Patton. They wanted to make him a brigadier general. However, he had already died from his battle wounds. So, this promotion never became official.
George Patton had several brothers who also fought for the Confederacy. One of his brothers was Lt. Col. Waller T. Patton. He also graduated from VMI. Waller was mortally wounded at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.
Patton Family Legacy
George Patton Sr. had four children. One of his sons was George William Patton, born in 1856. He was born in Charleston, Virginia. To honor his father, George William Patton changed his name. In 1868, he became George S. Patton.
This second George S. Patton also graduated from VMI in 1877. He became a lawyer. He served as the District Attorney for Los Angeles County, California. He was also the first city attorney for Pasadena. Later, he became the first mayor of San Marino, California.
The home where George Patton Sr. lived was called Elmgrove. It is now known as the Craik-Patton House. This name partly honors him.
George Patton Sr.'s grandson became very famous. This was General George S. Patton. He was a well-known leader in World War II. People often called him "Old Blood and Guts."
