Benton Cadets

Sometime during September 1861, Robert Patterson joined the Benton Cadets Independent Company of Infantry as a Sergeant/Color Ensign.  The Benton Cadets were primarily recruited from Ohio and Kentucky.  Company A came from Cincinnati and Companies E and F came from Shelby County, Ohio.  Robert was a member of Company C.  The Cadets were organized at St. Louis, Missouri during September and October 1861 and became part of Major General John C. Fremont’s Western Department Army being formed at St. Louis.