William Patterson Bane (August 14, 1843 – March 16, 1912) was an American soldier noted for his height. He was considered the tallest soldier to have fought in the American Civil War, but was shorter than Martin Van Buren Bates.
In June 1862, Patterson enlisted into the Union army[3] and assigned to the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, but did not participate in any close fighting.[1] He was a farmer and initially received a military pension of $12 per month before his unsuccessful appeal to increase it to $30 resulted it in being increased to $17.[1][6] In 1907, U.S. Representative Ernest F. Acheson proposed legislation to increase Bane's pension to $36.[7]
Bane's height received coverage in newspapers across the United States as the tallest soldier in the Civil War and he received the nicknames Big Pat Bane and Greene County Giant. However, Martin Van Buren Bates was taller than him. His military records listed different heights ranging from 6 feet 5 inches on his enlistment records to over 8 feet according to The Day Book. Neely Tucker stated that the listing of 6 feet 9 inches on his surgeon's certificate was the most consistent height given for him and that his shorter height on the enlistment record might have been used to circumvent medical regulations.[1] He attended the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904, and declined offers to be an attraction.[8]
Bane suffered from bronchitis later in life[1] and died in Washington County, on March 16, 1912.[2]
