George Patton's Reverence for his Confederate Ancestry

General George Smith Patton, Jr. fought in both World Wars and is generally considered one of the most accomplished and courageous soldiers in American history. Despite his heroics, there remains some controversy surrounding Patton, including his unexpected 1945 death in Heidelberg, Germany at the age of sixty. Numerous conspiracies have arisen from his death including those based on his commentary that the U.S. may have been fighting the wrong enemy in World War II, believing it was only a matter of time before we would have to fight the Russian communists. The commentary ruffled many feathers (including General Eisenhower) as the Russians were U.S. allies and suffered tremendous losses during World War II. The fact he viewed the communists as a worse long-term threat than the National Socialists remains a source of disagreement.

Patton made several remarks that would certainly be considered taboo in this era. For example, he claimed the Germans were a cut above other Europeans, especially those from Eastern Europe. This, despite the fact Patton's lineage was heavily Scottish, Scots-Irish, Welsh, French and English. Patton's hatred for communists (Bolsheviks) was intense; however, one must consider that the decent people in Eastern Europe were not communists. In fact, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn claimed many Russian leaders were murderous and literally despised the Russian people-especially Orthodox Christians. Also, who can forget the classic comment from Polish sniper Rafal Gan-Ganowicz? When asked what it was like to take a human life, he cleverly responded: "I wouldn't know, I've only killed communists." [The reader can decide if communists are humans or not.]

Regardless of any disagreements with Patton's world view, his military prowess is not up for debate. Indeed, he followed a long family tradition by graduating from VMI, eventually earning the nicknames "Bandito" and "Old Blood and Guts" during his military career. Perhaps he was genetically predisposed to military greatness as a direct descendant of Scottish-born Continental Army Brigadier General Hugh Mercer and through his family's extensive and proud Confederate heritage. Certainly, Patton and other Southern patriots of his era would be disgusted at the recent moral and cultural decline of Virginia, largely brought in from outsiders, many of whom have gained political power and caused irreparable damage.

Post "Civil War" devastation, financial opportunity and close proximity to relatives inspired George S. Patton to move his family to California; however, George Patton, Jr., was fully aware that his lineage was indelibly Southern. Indeed, the Patton family, with deep roots in Fredericksburg and Culpepper, Virginia, saw six brothers fight for the Confederate States of America, with two dying in the quest for Southern Independence. This fact was seared into Patton's being. Patton's Confederate ancestry included the following:

Paternal Grandfather--George Smith Patton--born in 1833 in Fredericksburg, a VMI Cadet and commander of the 22nd Virginia Infantry under Jubal Early-killed at the third Battle of Winchester. The following are Patton's great-uncles:

John Mercer Patton – born in 1826 in Culpepper, a VMI Cadet who served as colonel of the 21st Virginia Infantry before poor health forced his resignation.

Isaac Williams Patton - born in 1828 in Fredericksburg, Isaac moved to Louisiana, served in the 22nd Louisiana Regiment, CSA, and was wounded during the war. Post-war, he became a successful businessman and Mayor of New Orleans.

Waller Tazewell "Taz" Patton-born in 1835 in Fredericksburg, a VMI Cadet and an attorney, Waller was killed during Pickett's Charge.

Hugh Mercer Patton-born in 1841 in Fredericksburg, a VMI Cadet and lawyer, Hugh served under his brother Taz and later under Brigadier General John R. Cooke.

James French Patton-born in 1843 in Richmond, a VMI Cadet who served in his brother George's brigade.

As a child growing up in Southern California, the Patton family had a frequent visitor named Colonel John Singleton Mosby, also known as The Gray Ghost of the Confederacy. [In 1957-58 there was a popular TV Show called The Gray Ghost-this show would never air today given the modern agenda that dismisses the fact the South was fighting for independence.] Through that interaction young George got to hear first-hand accounts of Mosby's daring guerilla fighting escapades and likely placed himself vicariously at the numerous scenes of his forbearers. Patton clearly had some rough edges but he and his family have a legacy of both fighting for Southern Independence and fighting against the scourge of socialism and communism. Is it not interesting that some of Lincoln's strongest supporters were the "48ers", immigrants, mainly from Germany, who openly promoted socialism and communism? Once they were booted out of power in the 1840s, thousands moved to the American Midwest and found a natural home in the Republican Party (many became soldiers and officers in the Union Army). In other words, Patton, a practicing Episcopalian, and his Confederate ancestors fought similar enemies!

Sources: "Dixie Forever," at: https://www.facebook.com/DixieForeverRJ/posts/george-s-patton-wwii-legend-forged-in-confederate-heritagegeneral-george-s-patto/122255322902137502/; February 2022, "Patton Family in the Civil War," at: https://www.wenhammuseum.org/patton-family-in-the-civil-war/; "Culpeper Virginia's six gritty Patton brothers," by Chris Muldrow | Feb 9, 2018 | History, by Jim Smithfield, at: https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2018/02/09/culpepper-virginias-six-gritty-patton-brothers/; "Anti-Russian, anti-Christian, and anti-human; early communist rule in Russia," Chris Nagavonski, 3/12/21, Acton Institute at: https://www.acton.org/publications/transatlantic/2021/03/12/anti-russian-anti-christian-and-anti-human-early-communist. NOTE: The Communists and National Socialists, two politically leftist philosophies, were official allies from 1939-1941. Not counting cousins and assorted kin, there were sixteen members of the Patton family that served in Confederate armies. Post-war, Mosby became a Republican and started reading from their war script.