On 9/1/1775, John Patten was commissioned as a Major under Col. Robert Howe in the newly-created 2nd NC Regiment, which was considered to be "Provincial Troops" at that time. On 11/28/1775, this regiment was placed on the Continental Line. Although not named in any available records, Maj. John Patten was most likely with the 2nd NC Regiment at the battles of Great Bridge, VA (12/9/1775) and Norfolk, VA (1/1/1776).

On 4/10/1776, John Patten was commissioned as a Lt. Colonel under Col. Alexander Martin in the 2nd NC Regiment, when Martin was promoted after Robert Howe was promoted to Brigadier General. When news came that the British were going to attack Charlestown, SC, he marched with some of his men, but they were too late to help out at the battle of Fort Moultrie on 6/28/1776. Over half of the 2nd NC Regiment under Col. Alexander Martin did make it to that engagement, however.

Lt. Col. John Patten was with the 2nd NC Regiment when it fought at the battles of Brandywine Creek, PA (9/11/1777) and Germantown, PA (10/4/1777). His commanding officer, Col. Alexander Martin, was cleared of all charges made against him in the battle of Brandywine Creek, PA, but Col. Martin decided to resign soon thereafter.

On 11/22/1777, John Patten was commissioned as Colonel/Commandant over the 2nd NC Regiment on the Continental Line. In early 1778, the remnants of the 4th NC Regiment were folded into the 2nd NC Regiment, and Col. John Patten continued to command this regiment.

Col. John Patten led the 2nd NC Regiment at the battles of Monmouth, NJ (6/28/1778), Near West Point, NY (5/16/1779), and at the Siege of Charleston, SC (3/28-5/12/1780). He surrendered 301 men of the 2nd NC Regiment at the Fall of Charleston, SC on 5/12/1780. Col. John Patten remained a POW until he was exchanged on 11/26/1782. He retired on 1/1/1783.