First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
Posting history, in reverse order
https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
Link to previous New York Times thread
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3979046/posts
So what were Patterson’s politics?
Before the civil war:
“He then resumed his business interests in Pennsylvania, where he acquired 30 cotton mills and became quite wealthy. Patterson became one of the largest mill-owners in the United States and heavily involved in sugar refineries and cotton plantations. He again was an influential figure in Philadelphia politics.”
and...
“In 1861, Winfield Scott, gave Patterson orders to retake Harper’s Ferry. Patterson was hesitant to make the move and his slow action led to him being outmaneuvered in the Battle of Hoke’s Run.”
One of the Union’s big problems at the start of the war was the retention of officers who were either sympathetic to the Southern cause or were not enthusiastic about the war.
For example: In 1864, Lincoln ran against DEMOCRAT General George B. McClellan!
So into what category does Patterson fall?
We know he could fight based on his history in the Mexican American war.
So had he just gotten too rich that he was no longer willing to fight hard?
Or was he a Southern sympathizer, based on his financial properties?
bump