Paterson, James

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Paterson, James

PATERSON, JAMES. British general. Appointed adjutant general in America on 11 July 1776, he held this office until he was sent home with dispatches after the Battle of Monmouth on 28 June 1778. With the local rank of brigadier general, he commanded three infantry battalions and a jäger detachment in the capture of Stony Point on 1 June 1779. Taking part in the Charleston expedition of Clinton in 1780, Paterson initially was put in command of a force that was to make a diversion toward Augusta, Georgia, but subsequently was called back to support the siege of Charleston. He returned with Clinton to New York City in June 1780. In the spring of 1781 he commanded the defenses of Staten Island and in October of that year was preparing to take part in the expedition to relieve the siege of Yorktown when news was received of Cornwallis's surrender.

SEE ALSO Charleston Expedition of Clinton in 1780; Stony Point, New York.

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