A Brief History of
Waller Tazewell Patton Camp #1661,
Sons of Confederate Veterans

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Chartered on May, 9, 1994, the Waller Tazewell Patton Camp is part of the 5th Brigade of the Virginia Division, Sons of the Confederate Veterans.

The camp is named for Colonel Waller Tazewell Patton, commanding officer of the 7th Virginia Infantry. Born July 15, 1835 at Fredericksburg, Patton graduated from V.M.I. in 1855. A member of the V.M.I. faculty and acting assistant proffessor of Latin from 1852 to 1854, Patton also served as lieutenant and assistant professor of languages and assistant. Followig graduation, Patton also served as an instructor of tactics (1855), and as assistant professor of mathmatics and assistant instructor of tactics (1856). Following his service at VMI, Patton opened a law firm in Culpeper County. Likewise, with his military background, Patton came to command the Culpeper Minutemen.

After the outbreak of the war and Virginia's subsequent secession from the Union, Patton enlisted in the Confederate Army in April or May, 1861 as Major. Promoted to lieutenant colonel on April 27, 1862 and to full colonel on June 3, 1862, Patton served with distinction in the 7th Virginia Infantry. Wounded at 2nd Manassas on August 30, 1862, Patton spent the remainder of the year recuperating and was elected to the Virginia Senate in 1863. However, having the Patton desire for service in the war, he remained with his regiment. In the famous Pickett's Charge of July 3, 1863 at Gettysburg, Patton was temporarily listed as missing when he was wounded in the jaw. Also captured in the assault, he later died of his wounds on July 21, 1863 at the College Hospital in Gettysburg.

Two of Patton's brothers also served as colonels of Virginia regiments. Waller Patton was the great-uncle to the famous World War II General George S. Patton III.

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