LTC John H. Patterson

Lieutenant Colonel John Patterson had been second-in-command of the 22nd Infantry
for some years, when, on June 14, 1898, the regiment sailed onboard the Orizaba for Cuba.
On June 20, COL Wikoff received orders relieving him of command of the 22nd,
and giving him command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps.
LTC Patterson assumed command of the 22nd, and led them ashore at Daiquiri on June 22,
thus being in command of the first US Army regiment to unfurl its colors on Cuban soil.

The 22nd Infantry led the advance toward Santiago, and was part of Lawton's Division
which was sent north to secure the garrisoned city of El Caney,
which guarded the northeastern approaches to Santiago itself.

In the battle for El Caney the 22nd Infantry was positioned west of the city,
to prevent the Spaniards from retreating to Santiago, some three miles away.
The 1st Battalion of the 22nd, led by Company A, approached the outskirts of El Caney
and were within 1000 yards of the city when they received intense fire
from the Mauser rifles of the Spaniards.

LTC Patterson was with 1st Battalion at this time and was severely wounded
by the sudden enemy attack. Major Van Horne then assumed command of the regiment.

Photograph of John H. Patterson, taken at a gathering of 22nd Infantry Officers
at Fort Keogh, Montana. Original date of photo given as 1892, however,
is most likely 1895, as Patterson did not join the Regiment until that year.

Newspaper clipping dated July 3, 1898,
giving a short biography of LTC Patterson.

LTC Patterson was shot in the groin by
Spanish Mauser fire while advancing his troops
at the Battle of El Caney.

Born in New York, Patterson was appointed from New York as a 1st Lieutenant in the 11th Infantry
on May 14, 1861.
Breveted to Captain on October 1, 1864 for gallant service in the Battle of Chappel House, VA.
Transferred to 20th Infantry September 21, 1866.
Promoted to Captain July 26, 1866.
Promoted to Major of the 3rd Infantry May 19, 1891.
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Infantry January 21, 1895.
Transferred to the 22nd Infantry November 4, 1895.
Assumed command of the 22nd Infantry June 20, 1898
Wounded at El Caney, Cuba, July 1, 1898 .
Promoted to Colonel of the 20th Infantry September 28, 1898.
Appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers, September 21 to November 30, 1898.
Promoted to Brigadier General January 18, 1899.
Retired (for over thirty years service) February 6, 1899.

Awarded the Medal of Honor as a 1st Lieutenant of the 11th Infantry,
for most distinguished gallantry in action at the Wilderness, VA., May 5, 1864,
while under the heavy fire of the advancing enemy, in picking up and carrying several hundred yards,
to a place of safety, a wounded officer of his regiment, who was helpless and otherwise have been
burned in the forest.