Born in Sullivan County, Indiana, on July 17, 1837 (some sources state 1836), Harrison Henry Patten’s early education was “neglected,” as he only occasionally attended the local schools in winter, when the weather was unsuitable for farm work. He also briefly attended an academy in New Lebanon, Indiana, and began the study of law just before the outbreak of the Civil War.

In April 1861, Patten enlisted in a local company and was elected sergeant, but that company was not selected for 90-day service. He then enlisted in the 16th Indiana Infantry, a one-year unit. That June, Patten applied to Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton for a transfer, and subsequently joined Company I, 17th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Appointed first sergeant in January 1862, he was reduced to the ranks that June at the request of his captain, George Cubberly, “without a charge being preferred, or a reason stated.” Promoted to corporal that December, Patten was with the 17th when the regiment was mounted and formed part of the “Lightning Brigade” of Colonel John T. Wilder. Wilder’s Brigade of mounted infantry won fame for its role in the Tullahoma Campaign and the Battle of Chickamauga.

Mustered into service as a first lieutenant in the 17th U.S. Colored Infantry in February 1864 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Patten was assigned to Company D and led that company in the Battle of Nashville on December 15-16, 1864. While on duty at Decatur, Alabama, Patten received an accidental wound and was rendered unfit for field duty. First appointed post treasurer of Nashville, in December 1865 he was promoted to captain and named provost marshal of Nashville.

Mustered out of the service in April 1866, Patten moved to Miami County, Kansas, where he continued to study law and farm. In 1874, he was admitted to the bar in Paola, Kansas, and continued to practice law there until 1883, when he moved to Kingman, Kansas, then to Edwards County, Kansas. Instrumental in founding the town of Greensburg, Kansas, Patten helped persuade the state legislature to re-form Kiowa County from Edwards and Comanche counties. Appointed to serve as county commissioner, he also continued to practice law, and served as a bank president and county treasurer.

Patten died on June 24, 1889, and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg, Kansas.

Carte-de-Visite by Rundle’s Gallery, St. Louis.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31890