Joab N. Patterson, 1863-1916

This series consists of one photograph of General Joab N. Patterson, one travel pass he signed, and one letter that a former Confederate prisoner wrote to Patterson in 1916 describing the kind treatment that he received in camp. Patterson raised a company of New Hampshire men for service in the Civil War in 1861, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to the rank of colonel by the war’s end. After being wounded at Gettysburg, Patterson was assigned the position of Provost Marshall at the newly founded Point Lookout, serving directly under Camp Commander General Gilman Marston. He was responsible for running much of the prison’s day-to-day operations and was known among prisoners for his kindness. Materials are arranged in chronological order.