This Page Was Last Updated in March 2008.
The Patterson clan was represented by at least two (possibly three) grandsons of John and Peggy Patterson (J&P) within the 6th Ga Cavalry. I'll share more on them shortly. The 6th Ga Cavalry was originally part of Smith's Legion. Smith's Legion comprised an infantry battalion and a cavalry battalion. In the Spring of 1863 the infantry battalion merged with other companies to form the 65th Ga Infantry. At the same time, the cavalry battalion merged with other companies to form the 6th Ga Cavalry. As time allows, I will share more info on Smith's Legion as a whole, and also the 65th Ga Infantry. I also highly recommend anyone interested in Smith's Legion and/or the 6th Ga Cavalry to visit Don Prince's web site at http://6thgeorgiacavalry.weebly.com/unit-history.html as he has posted a tremendous amount of information regarding this regiment.
William Harden "Bill" Patterson was my great-great-grandfather. He was born in 1832 in the Indian Lands of north Georgia, which later became Union Co, Ga. He was the son of George and Rebecca Chastain Patterson, and was therefore a grandson of J&P. I have more information on Bill Patterson, including his service record and picture. Bill (William H. Patterson) was a Private in Co B, the "Blood Mountain Tigers".
Jonathan Thomas "Pat" Cornett was a brother-in-law of Bill Patterson. Pat married Hanna Margaret Patterson, the younger sister of Bill. Pat (J.T. Cornett) was a Private in Co D. I also have more information on Pat Cornett.
John Patterson Kincaid was a first cousin of Bill Patterson, as he was the son of Amey Jane Patterson and William D. Kincaid. There was a John Kincaid who was a Private in Co H of the 6th Ga Cavalry. I used to think he may have been the same John Kincaid, especially since J P Kincaid was buried in the same cemetery as Bill Patterson, his cousin. However, John Kincaid of the 6th Ga Cav was in Co H which was recruited from Floyd Co Ga. I have since learned that John Kincaid of the 6th Ga Cav was Dr. John Kincaid, originally from SC, and was definitely NOT John Patterson Kincaid.
There were other cousins of Bill Patterson who served with Smith's Legion, but not necessarily the 6th Ga Cavalry. They will be documented on the Smith's Legion page and/or the 65th Ga Infantry page, as soon as possible.
Some of the members of the 6th were as follows:
Smith's Legion and the 6th Ga Cavalry saw plenty of action during the war. The 6th Cavalry Regiment was formed in the spring of 1863 by consolidating the cavalry battalion of Smith's Georgia Legion and four independent cavalry companies. During the conflict it served in Davidson's, J.J. Morrison's, C.C. Crews', and Iverson's Brigade. The unit was active at Chickamauga and Philadelphia, participated in the Knoxville and Atlanta Campaigns, then took part in the defense of Savannah and the campaign in the Carolinas. During April, 1865, it surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. Its commanding officers were Colonel John R. Hart, Lieutenant Colonels B.F. Brown and Joel C. Fain, and Majors Alfred F. Bale and John T. Burns.
See the following list of battles which the 6th/Smith's Legion was involved in. For more information on the battles, go to http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/battles.htm.
- Kentucky Campaign: Aug-Oct 1862 (Smith's Legion)
- Cumberland Gap: Oct 1862 (Smith's Legion)
- Flat Lick, Ky: Oct 1862 (Smith's Legion)
- Big Creek Gap, Tn: Oct-Nov 1862 (Smith's Legion)
- Snake Creek Gap, Tn: Oct-Nov 1862 (Smith's Legion)
- Murfreesboro, Tn: Nov-Dec 1862 (Smith's Legion)
- Leat's Tanyard, or Rock Spring, Ga: Sep 12, 1863
- Chickamauga, Ga: Sep 19-20, 1863
- Chattanooga Siege: Sep-Nov 1863
- Philadelphia, Tn: Oct 20, 1863
- Knoxville Siege: Nov-Dec 1863
- Atlanta Campaign: May-Sep 1864
- Atlanta Siege: Jul-Sep 1864
- Savannah Campaign: Nov-Dec 1864
- Carolinas Campaign: Feb-Apr 1865
Wes Patterson
My Civil War Main Page | Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System
Georgians in the Civil War Discussion Board | Military Records Research Service
