Waller T. Patton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waller Tazewell Patton
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Waller T. Patton by William D. Washington, 1868
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| Born | July 15, 1835 Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Died | July 21, 1863 (aged 28) Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–63 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commands held | 7th Virginia Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Gen. George S. Patton (great-nephew) |
Waller Tazewell Patton (born July 15, 1835 – died July 21, 1863) was an important person during the American Civil War. He was a professor, a lawyer, and an officer in the Confederate States Army.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Waller T. Patton was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He came from a well-known family. He was named after Littleton Waller Tazewell, who was the Governor of Virginia. His father, John Mercer Patton, was also a public servant. An ancestor, Hugh Mercer, was a general during the American Revolution. His brother, George S. Patton, Sr, also became a Confederate colonel.
Patton went to the Virginia Military Institute and graduated in 1855. He was the second-best student in his class. While he was still a student, he also taught Latin at the institute. After graduating, Patton became an instructor there. He taught tactics and mathematics. He also studied law and became a successful lawyer in Culpeper, Virginia. He led a local group of citizen soldiers called the Culpeper Minutemen.
Serving in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Virginia left the United States. Patton joined the Confederate Army. He was chosen to be a major in the 7th Virginia Infantry regiment. On April 27, 1862, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
In June 1862, Patton took charge of his regiment. This happened after the previous colonel, James L. Kemper, was promoted. Patton was badly hurt at the Second Manassas on August 30, 1862. He spent the rest of that year recovering at home in Fredericksburg. In 1863, he was elected to the Virginia Senate. But he chose to go back and lead his soldiers instead.
Gettysburg Campaign
In the spring of 1863, Patton's regiment served in North Carolina. Then, he led them north into Pennsylvania for the Gettysburg Campaign. On July 3, his regiment was part of Pickett's Division. They were on the right side of the Confederate attack during Pickett's Charge.
Colonel Patton was seriously wounded while leading his men. They were moving towards the Union positions on Cemetery Ridge. A piece of an artillery shell hit his jaw. He died a few weeks later in a hospital at Pennsylvania College. His cousin, Lewis B. Williams, Jr, who led another Virginia regiment, was also killed.
Family in the War
Waller's older brother, George Smith Patton, was killed later in the war. He died at the Third Battle of Winchester in 1864. Both George and Waller Patton are buried in the Stonewall Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. Four other brothers also served as officers in the Confederate Army. They were Col. John Mercer Patton, Col. Isaac Patton, Lt. James F. Patton, and Lt. Hugh Mercer Patton.
Waller Patton was the great-uncle of the famous American World War II General, George S. Patton.
Remembering Waller Patton
A group called the Waller Tazewell Patton Camp #1661, Sons of Confederate Veterans, was named in his honor.
The media leader Ted Turner played Waller Patton in two movies. He appeared as Patton in the 1993 film Gettysburg. He played the role again in the 2003 movie Gods and Generals.
George and Tazwell Patton are buried together in the Confederate section of Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.
