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It would be Patton's staff's responsibilty to report back to Eisenhower that Patton relieved the commander and assigned the new guy as his relief. The Army would then give the relieved officer a new assignment, probably at a desk in Washington until he retired.
You're right, if this happened today, it would be the kiss of death to an officer's career. I'm in the Navy, and I can think of numerous examples where Admirals have relieved commanding officers of ships or bases (including mine just last year) for various reasons and either temporarily or permanently promoted the XO to command. The relieved CO would either retire immediately, face whatever administrative or judicial punishment was deemed appropriate, or be given some desk job until he did retire. None of these were in battlefield situations, though.
-Mikey
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