John Dunovant
Encyclopedia
John Dunovant was a brigadier general with temporary rank in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
. A South Carolinian
, he was commander of the 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment and later the 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
from his home state. He was killed in the Petersburg Campaign
at the Battle of Vaughan Road
.
, in 1825. He was the son of John Dunovant and Margaret Sloan Quay, and the brother of Robert (Richard) Dunovant. He was a sergeant in the Palmetto Regiment in the Mexican-American War. Dunovant was commissioned directly into the regular U. S. Army as a captain of the 10th Infantry Regiment when that unit was organized in 1855. He resigned a few days after South Carolina
seceded from the Union and offered his services to his state's militia.
during the initial Confederate operations. During the bombardment of Fort Sumter
, he was present and active at Fort Moultrie. Subsequently he became colonel of the 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment and was stationed for some time on Sullivan's Island and at Fort Moultrie. He was cashiered and dismissed from the service for drunkenness during this period but later in 1862 he was given another chance to command the 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
. He served the State in this capacity, until ordered to Virginia
in March, 1864. There he and his regiment were under the brigade command of Brigadier General Matthew C. Butler, in Major General Wade Hampton's
division of Major General Jeb Stuart's
cavalry corps, which was commanded by Major General Hampton after Stuart's death at the Battle of Yellow Tavern
. Brigadier General Matt Whitaker Ransom reported the regiment under his leadership did admirable service at the Second Battle of Drewry's Bluff, or Second Battle of Fort Darling, on May 16, 1864, and subsequently in the encounters with Philip Sheridan
's cavalry. He provided gallant services with Butler's brigade at the Battle of Cold Harbor
, Battle of Trevilian Station
and other engagements in the Overland Campaign
and early Siege of Petersburg
, thereby redeeming his reputation. On August 2, 1864, President Jefferson Davis
suggested to General Robert E. Lee
, Dunovant's promotion to brigadier general with temporary rank, and Davis so appointed him on August 22, 1864. In this capacity he had brigade command under General Hampton until his death six weeks later.
, following the capture of Fort Harrison
at the Battle of Vaughan Road
, part of the overall Battle of Peebles' Farm
. He was shot down while leading a charge against the Union position. Union Sergeant James T. Clancy
of the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry was credited with firing the shot that killed General Dunovant.
On receipt of news of the death of the gallant soldier, General Lee replied to General Hampton: "I grieve with you at the loss of General Dunovant and Dr. Fontaine, two officers whom it will be difficult to replace."
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. A South Carolinian
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, he was commander of the 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment and later the 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
The 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment from South Carolina that served with the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865....
from his home state. He was killed in the Petersburg Campaign
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
at the Battle of Vaughan Road
Battle of Vaughan Road
The Battle of Vaughan Road, also spelled "Vaughn", was an American Civil War engagement between Confederate States Army and Union Army cavalry forces protecting the flank of the main Union attack on Confederate positions on the western end of the Confederate line on October 1, 1864 during the...
.
Early life
Brigadier General John Dunovant was born in Chester, South CarolinaChester, South Carolina
Chester is a small city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,476 at the 2000 census and a center urban cluster population of 11,140...
, in 1825. He was the son of John Dunovant and Margaret Sloan Quay, and the brother of Robert (Richard) Dunovant. He was a sergeant in the Palmetto Regiment in the Mexican-American War. Dunovant was commissioned directly into the regular U. S. Army as a captain of the 10th Infantry Regiment when that unit was organized in 1855. He resigned a few days after South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
seceded from the Union and offered his services to his state's militia.
American Civil War service
Dunovant held the rank of major of infantry in the Confederate States ArmyConfederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the initial Confederate operations. During the bombardment of Fort Sumter
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter, near Charleston, South Carolina, that started the American Civil War. Following declarations of secession by seven Southern states, South Carolina demanded that the U.S. Army abandon its facilities in Charleston Harbor. On...
, he was present and active at Fort Moultrie. Subsequently he became colonel of the 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment and was stationed for some time on Sullivan's Island and at Fort Moultrie. He was cashiered and dismissed from the service for drunkenness during this period but later in 1862 he was given another chance to command the 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment
The 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment from South Carolina that served with the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865....
. He served the State in this capacity, until ordered to Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in March, 1864. There he and his regiment were under the brigade command of Brigadier General Matthew C. Butler, in Major General Wade Hampton's
Wade Hampton II
Wade Hampton II was an American plantation owner and soldier in the War of 1812. He was a member of the Hampton family, whose influence was strong in South Carolina politics and social circles for nearly 100 years....
division of Major General Jeb Stuart's
J.E.B. Stuart
James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart was a U.S. Army officer from Virginia and a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. He was known to his friends as "Jeb", from the initials of his given names. Stuart was a cavalry commander known for his mastery of reconnaissance and the use...
cavalry corps, which was commanded by Major General Hampton after Stuart's death at the Battle of Yellow Tavern
Battle of Yellow Tavern
The Battle of Yellow Tavern was fought on May 11, 1864, as part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War. Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan was detached from the Army of the Potomac to conduct a raid on Richmond, Virginia, and challenge legendary Confederate cavalry...
. Brigadier General Matt Whitaker Ransom reported the regiment under his leadership did admirable service at the Second Battle of Drewry's Bluff, or Second Battle of Fort Darling, on May 16, 1864, and subsequently in the encounters with Philip Sheridan
Philip Sheridan
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S...
's cavalry. He provided gallant services with Butler's brigade at the Battle of Cold Harbor
Battle of Cold Harbor
The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought from May 31 to June 12, 1864 . It was one of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign during the American Civil War, and is remembered as one of American history's bloodiest, most lopsided battles...
, Battle of Trevilian Station
Battle of Trevilian Station
The Battle of Trevilian Station was fought on June 11–12, 1864, in Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan fought against Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gens...
and other engagements in the Overland Campaign
Overland Campaign
The Overland Campaign, also known as Grant's Overland Campaign and the Wilderness Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Virginia during May and June 1864, in the American Civil War. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief of all Union armies, directed the actions of the Army of the...
and early Siege of Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
, thereby redeeming his reputation. On August 2, 1864, President Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
suggested to General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
, Dunovant's promotion to brigadier general with temporary rank, and Davis so appointed him on August 22, 1864. In this capacity he had brigade command under General Hampton until his death six weeks later.
Death
General Dunovant was killed October 1, 1864 in the fighting north of the James RiverJames River
The James River may refer to:Rivers in the United States and their namesakes* James River * James River , North Dakota, South Dakota* James River * James River * James River...
, following the capture of Fort Harrison
Fort Harrison
Fort Harrison was an important component of the Confederate defenses of Richmond during the American Civil War. Named after Lieutenant William Harrison, a Confederate engineer, it was the largest in the series of fortifications that extended from New Market Road to the James River that also...
at the Battle of Vaughan Road
Battle of Vaughan Road
The Battle of Vaughan Road, also spelled "Vaughn", was an American Civil War engagement between Confederate States Army and Union Army cavalry forces protecting the flank of the main Union attack on Confederate positions on the western end of the Confederate line on October 1, 1864 during the...
, part of the overall Battle of Peebles' Farm
Battle of Peebles' Farm
The Battle of Peebles' Farm was the western part of a simultaneous Union offensive against the Confederate works guarding Petersburg and Richmond, during the Siege of Petersburg in the American Civil War.-Background:...
. He was shot down while leading a charge against the Union position. Union Sergeant James T. Clancy
James T. Clancy
James T. Clancy was a Sergeant in the Union Army during the American Civil War who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Vaughan Road.-Biography:...
of the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry was credited with firing the shot that killed General Dunovant.
On receipt of news of the death of the gallant soldier, General Lee replied to General Hampton: "I grieve with you at the loss of General Dunovant and Dr. Fontaine, two officers whom it will be difficult to replace."