Marcellus Augustus Stovall
Encyclopedia
Marcellus Augustus Stovall (September 18, 1818 August 4, 1895) was an American
soldier and merchant. He served as a Confederate
general during the American Civil War
, and later he resumed business and civil interests.
located in Hancock County, Georgia
. He was the son of Pleasant Stovall, a successful merchant from Augusta
. Stovall received his initial education at Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts
, and then he returned home and enlisted as a private
in the Georgia
State volunteers in 1835. He served in the Richmond Blues (mounted infantry militia) during the Seminole Wars
and was mustered out in 1837.
Stovall entered the United States Military Academy
at West Point
on July 1, 1836, but resigned a year later in 1837 due to poor health. In 1839 he toured Europe, and then he became a merchant and served in the Georgia State Militia
as a captain of artillery
, serving with the Clinch Rifles. Stovall married Sarah G. McKinne in 1842, and he moved to an estate near Rome
, located in Floyd County
in 1846, where he was again a merchant and a militia captain, serving with the Cherokee Volunteer Artillery.
. He was appointed colonel
of the 2nd Artillery Regiment
in the Georgia forces in August, and entered the Confederate Army as a lieutenant colonel
in the 3rd Georgia Battalion, which was assigned to the Confederate Capital of Richmond, Virginia
. Stovall then served at Lynchburg
, Goldsboro, North Carolina
, and in eastern Tennessee. He first saw combat in 1862 at Waldren's Ridge, and then accompanied Maj. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith
into Kentucky and the Trans-Mississippi Department
.
Following the Kentucky Campaign
from June to October 1862, Stovall was ordered to join Gen. Braxton Bragg
's Army of Tennessee
, and fought during the Battle of Stones River
from December 31 to January 2, 1863. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on January 20, 1863. His brigade
was assigned to Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge
's Division
in D.H. Hill
's II Corps from June 6 to November 12. His brigade participated in the Siege of Jackson
in Mississippi on May 14.
Stovall's command fought in the Western Theater
actions of Battle of Chickamauga
in September 1863, and the Atlanta Campaign
throughout 1864. He was "warmly commended" by Breckinridge for his performance during the Battle of Chickamauga. After the fall of Atlanta
on September 2, 1864, Stovall and his brigade (now part of Clayton's Division) fought in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign
that fall and then the Carolinas Campaign
in 1865 with what was left of the Army of Tennessee.
Stovall surrendered his command with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston
's army in North Carolina, in the spring of 1865, and he was paroled on May 9.
Stovall served as a city alderman and then police commissioner of Augusta, and was quite active in the Confederate Survivors Association. In 1878 he married for the second time to Courtney Augusta Peck. Stovall died in 1895 at the age of 76 in Augusta, Georgia, and was buried there in Magnolia Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier and merchant. He served as a Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
general 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...
, and later he resumed business and civil interests.
Early life and career
Marcellus A. Stovall was born in 1818 within the city of SpartaSparta, Georgia
Sparta is a country town in Hancock County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,265 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Hancock County...
located in Hancock County, Georgia
Hancock County, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,076 people, 3,237 households, and 2,311 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 4,287 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
. He was the son of Pleasant Stovall, a successful merchant from Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
. Stovall received his initial education at Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Wilbraham is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is also a suburb of the City of Springfield, Massachusetts and part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,868 at the 2010 census...
, and then he returned home and enlisted as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
State volunteers in 1835. He served in the Richmond Blues (mounted infantry militia) during the Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
and was mustered out in 1837.
Stovall entered the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
on July 1, 1836, but resigned a year later in 1837 due to poor health. In 1839 he toured Europe, and then he became a merchant and served in the Georgia State Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
as a captain of artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
, serving with the Clinch Rifles. Stovall married Sarah G. McKinne in 1842, and he moved to an estate near Rome
Rome, Georgia
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Rome is the largest city and the county seat of Floyd County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Floyd County...
, located in Floyd County
Floyd County, Georgia
Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 90,565. Census estimates for 2007 show a population of 95,618...
in 1846, where he was again a merchant and a militia captain, serving with the Cherokee Volunteer Artillery.
Civil War service
At the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861, Stovall chose to follow his home state and the Confederate causeConfederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. He was appointed colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the 2nd Artillery Regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
in the Georgia forces in August, and entered the Confederate Army as a lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
in the 3rd Georgia Battalion, which was assigned to the Confederate Capital of Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Stovall then served at Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
, Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
, and in eastern Tennessee. He first saw combat in 1862 at Waldren's Ridge, and then accompanied Maj. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith
Edmund Kirby Smith
Edmund Kirby Smith was a career United States Army officer and educator. He served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, notable for his command of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy after the fall of Vicksburg.After the conflict ended Smith...
into Kentucky and the Trans-Mississippi Department
Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
The Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War was the major military and naval operations west of the Mississippi River. The area excluded the states and territories bordering the Pacific Ocean, which formed the Pacific Coast Theater of the American Civil War.The campaign classification...
.
Following the Kentucky Campaign
Confederate Heartland Offensive
The Confederate Heartland Offensive or Kentucky Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in East Tennessee and Kentucky in 1862 during the American Civil War...
from June to October 1862, Stovall was ordered to join Gen. Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was a career United States Army officer, and then a general in the Confederate States Army—a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and later the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Bragg, a native of North Carolina, was...
's Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
, and fought during the Battle of Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
from December 31 to January 2, 1863. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on January 20, 1863. His brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
was assigned to Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge
John C. Breckinridge
John Cabell Breckinridge was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Kentucky and was the 14th Vice President of the United States , to date the youngest vice president in U.S...
's Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
in D.H. Hill
Daniel Harvey Hill
On July 22, 1862, Hill and Union Maj. Gen. John A. Dix concluded an agreement for the general exchange of prisoners between the Union and Confederate armies. This agreement became known as the Dix-Hill Cartel....
's II Corps from June 6 to November 12. His brigade participated in the Siege of Jackson
Battle of Jackson (MS)
The Battle of Jackson, fought on May 14, 1863, in Jackson, Mississippi, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee defeated Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, seizing the city, cutting supply lines, and...
in Mississippi on May 14.
Stovall's command fought in the Western Theater
Western Theater of the American Civil War
This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Theater of operations:...
actions of Battle of Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
in September 1863, and the Atlanta Campaign
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May...
throughout 1864. He was "warmly commended" by Breckinridge for his performance during the Battle of Chickamauga. After the fall of Atlanta
Atlanta in the Civil War
The city of Atlanta, Georgia, was an important rail and commercial center during the American Civil War. Although relatively small in population, the city became a critical point of contention during the Atlanta Campaign in 1864 when a powerful Union army approached from Federally-held Tennessee...
on September 2, 1864, Stovall and his brigade (now part of Clayton's Division) fought in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign
Franklin-Nashville Campaign
The Franklin-Nashville Campaign, also known as Hood's Tennessee Campaign, was a series of battles in the Western Theater, conducted from September 18 to December 27, 1864, in Alabama, Tennessee, and northwestern Georgia during the American Civil War. The Confederate Army of Tennessee under Lt....
that fall and then the Carolinas Campaign
Carolinas Campaign
The Carolinas Campaign was the final campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. In January 1865, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman advanced north from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas, with the intention of linking up with Union forces in Virginia. The defeat of ...
in 1865 with what was left of the Army of Tennessee.
Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph Eggleston Johnston was a career U.S. Army officer, serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War and Seminole Wars, and was also one of the most senior general officers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
's army in North Carolina, in the spring of 1865, and he was paroled on May 9.
Postbellum
After the American Civil War ended in 1865, Stovall worked as a cotton broker, then became a merchant of farming supplies. Later he organized and became manager of the Georgia Chemical Works, engaging in the manufacture of fertilizers.Stovall served as a city alderman and then police commissioner of Augusta, and was quite active in the Confederate Survivors Association. In 1878 he married for the second time to Courtney Augusta Peck. Stovall died in 1895 at the age of 76 in Augusta, Georgia, and was buried there in Magnolia Cemetery.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
Further reading
- Bragg, C. L., Distinction in Every Service: Brigadier General Marcellus A. Stovall, C.S.A. White Mane Publishing Company, 2001, ISBN 1-5724-9291-0.
External links
- www.nps.gov Stovall's bronze statue at the Vicksburg National Military Park.
- www.lib.unc.edu Collection of Stovall's writings.