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Article: Union Provost Took On the Thankless Tasks.
- Article from:
- The World and I
- Article date:
- February 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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John E. Carey is a writer and historian in Arlington, Virginia.
Generally unknown, unnoticed, and little honored, the provost marshal general of the Army of the Potomac proved his worth as an invaluable right-hand man to the commanding general.
During a myriad of sometimes messy, often ugly, and usually distasteful assignments, one man acted aggressively, diligently, and with integrity, plus a dash of God-fearing, Bible-thumping religion: Marsena Rudolph Patrick (1811-1888).
Before the war, Patrick worked on the Erie Canal, taught school, and attended the U.S. Military Academy. He served in both the Seminole War and the Mexican War. During the ...