John DunovantBrigadier General, Provisional Army of the Confederate States
"He was the beau ideal of a soldier, a knightly, chivalric gentlemen, thorough in the details of discipline and order, exacting, but always just, guarding with care and solicitude the interests of his soldiers, demanding of all alike the full measure of their duty. The result was, his command was always ready to respond promptly to his orders. He was in himself a model of promptness and precision, both in obeying and executing orders."Major General Matthew C. Butler, PACS, ca. 1895
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Born: March 5th, 1825, in Chester, Chester District, South Carolina, the son of John (1787-1855) & Margaret Sloan Quay Dunovant (1797-1843)
Married: Never Married.
Pre-War: Served in the Mexican War from 1846 to 1847, enlisted as a Sergeant in Company B of the Palmetto Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, on December 14th, 1846; severely wounded in Action at Chapultepec, Mexico, on September 13th, 1847; mustered out of service with the regiment on December 7th, 1847, at Mobile, Alabama; appointed as a Captain of Infantry with the 10th United States Infantry Regiment, on March 3rd, 1855, from the State of South Carolina; resigned his commission in the United States Army on December 29th, 1860.
Service: Appointed as a Major of Infantry in the Provisional Army of South Carolina on December 29th, 1860; appointed as Lieutenant Colonel of the 3rd South Carolina Volunteer Artillery Regiment on January 1st, 1861, by Governor Francis W. Pickens; served in the operations in, and around, Charleston, South Carolina, from January to April 1861; recommended by General Milledge L. Bonham to the Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker for an appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States on February 6th, 1861, writing |
that "Capt. Jno. Dunovant, late of the Infat., U.S.A. resigned the day his State - S.C. - seceded. He is now in her service with the Rank of Major, comdg. 1st Inft., which is of course not a permanent place. He was a member of the Palmetto Regt. in Mexico, having been engaged in every battle in which his Regt. bore part. Proving himself on all occasions to be a gallant soldier. His friends think him qualified for the command of a Regt. for which I respectfully recommend him. In doing this however it is due to him to say that he does not desire to be placed above any of those officers who ranked him in the U.S. Service. Whilst on the other hand he hopes he will not be placed below any of those he himself ranked in the same service." The South Carolina Delegation to the Constitutional Convention wrote to the Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker on April 1st, 1861, recommending his appointment in the Provisional Army, stating that: "The undersigned respectfully ask the appointment of John Dunovant, late Captain of the United States Army, to the office of Major of the Army of the Confederate States. In furtherance of this application, they would state that the same becomes necessary by the change of the relative rank of Capt. Dunovant in the Army of the Confederate States, by the appointment of one to the rank of Major who was a Lieutenant under him in the Army of the United States. They would respectfully add that Capt. Dunovant served in the Palmetto Regiment and was in all the engagements in which said Regiment took part. In 1855 he was appointed to a Captaincy in the Army of the United States, and from that period to the time of his recent resignation, he was in active service, chiefly on the frontier. On the secession of the State of South Carolina from the Federal Union he was appointed to the position of Major in the Regular Service of the said State, and has since been actively employed in said service." Absent, sick for 60-days from June 21st, 1861. Appointed and was mustered into service as Colonel of the 3rd South Carolina Volunteer Artillery Regiment (1st Regulars) on July 22nd, 1861, for one years' service; placed under arrest on the charge of drunkenness on duty, and was court-martialed on August 25th, 1862, at Adams Run, South Carolina, by a Court of Inquiry composed of Brigadier General Johnson Hagood, Colonel James McCullough (16th SCV) & Colonel Ambrose Gonzales, per Special Order No. 137, Headquarters, Department of South Carolina, Georgia & Florida, dated August 16th, 1862; the findings were confirmed and published on November 8th, 1862:
"Adjutant and Inspector General's Office,Richmond, November 8, 1862. General Orders No. 83,
I. A Court of Enquiry was convened at Adams' Run, S.C., August 25, 1862, by virtue of Special Orders No. 137, from the Head Quarters of the Department of South Carolina and Georgia, of August 16, 1862, issued by direction of the Secretary of War, under authority of the Act of Congress, entitled "an act to punish drunkenness in the army." Approved April 21, 1862: when the following proceedings were had upon Charges and Specifications against Colonel John Dunovant, 1st Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers:
Charge. Drunkenness on Duty
Specification 1. - In this, that he, Colonel John Dunovant, of the 1st Regiment, S.C. Regular, having been detailed by his Commanding General, N.G. Evans, P.A.C.S., to lead the advance with his Battalion, against the enemy, known to be at Legareville, did become so drunk as to be entirely unable to execute said order. This in front of the troops of the Brigade, on John's Island, S.C., on or about the 9th June 1862.
Specification 2. - In this, that he the said Colonel John Dunovant, having received an order from his Commanding General, Brig. Genl. N.G. Evans, in words and figures follows, viz:
On intimation given by the Commanding General, Colonel Dunovant will storm the bridge at Beezan's, and in co-operation with Col. Means, capture the advance guard of the enemy, said to be at Beezan's house. Should the enemy advance, Colonel Dunovant will attack him (his right being supported by Colonels Slaughter and Means), and drive the enemy to his gun boats.
Which order having received by Colonel Dunovant, and having been ordered by his Commanding General to have the guns of his Battalion loaded ready to advance, was so drunk as to be unable to execute and said order. This on John's Island, S.C., on or about the night of the 9th June 1862.
Specification 3. - In this, that he the said Colonel John Dunovant, 1st Regiment S.C. Regulars, having arrived with his Battalion at a point near which the enemy were supposed to be, and being ordered by his Commanding General to have his guns loaded and be ready to advance, did became so drunk as to be unable to execute the order; and did thus expose himself to the officers and soldiers of his command, lying drunk by the road side. This on John's Island, on or about the night of the 9th of June 1862.
II. The Court, after full deliberation on the testimony in this case, found the accused "guilty of the charge;" and submitted their proceedings to the Secretary of War, by whom they have been laid before the President, whose orders thereupon are as follow:
The offence is of too grave a character to be overlooked in an officer of such high rank, and is aggravated by the circumstances under which it was committed. Colonel Dunovant will be dismissed from the service.
Colonel John Dunovant, 1st Regiment of South Carolina Infantry, therefore ceases to be an officer of the army from this date.
III. The above named Court of Enquiry, whereof Brig. Genl. J. Hagood, P.A.C.S., is President, is dissolved.
By order, S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General."
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Dismissed from the service on November 8th, 1862, per General Orders No. 83, Adjutant & Inspector General's Office, War Department, Richmond, Virginia. On November 16th, 1862, the officers of the 3rd S.C. Artillery Regiment sent the following note to Dunovant: "We the undersigned officers of the 1st S.C. Infantry and friends of Col. John Dunovant having heard with deep regret that he had been dismissed from the service, take this method of expressing to him our sympathy in his misfortune and our regret at losing an officer whose courage and gentlemanly deportment has always had our admiration. In parting, Colonel, permit us to wish you a happy and more fortunate future, and to assure you that the undersigned, have loss no confidence, esteem, or respect for you, and that you will ever be kindly remembered by us." This was followed on November 23rd, 1862, by a letter from the members of the Court of Inquiry (Brig. Gen. Johnson Hagood, Col. A.J. Gonzales & Col. James McCullough) to President Jefferson Davis from Charleston, South Carolina, stating that: "The undersigned comprising the late Court of Enquiry organized for the trial of Col. John Dunovant, PACS, on the charge of drunkenness upon duty, would respectfully petition your Excellency to reconsider the sentence of dismissal announced upon the said Col. Dunovant in recent orders upon the following grounds; to wit. 1. Upon an examination of the testimony taken before the court and of its findings as set forth at large in the proceedings, it will be seen that while compelled to find the accused guilty of the charge the Court did not find him guilty of drunkenness to the extent set forth in the specifications to wit to an extent utterly disqualifying him for the discharge of his duty & leading to disgraceful exposure of himself before his command. 2. Your Petitioners feel convinced that an extension of clemency in this case will not...against discipline in this army, and that Col. Dunovant if restored to the service will not again subject himself to a like charge. 3. Your petitioners beg leave respectfully to...the statements made in the recommendations forwarded by them as a Court that the accused be as lightly dealt with as might be deemed consistent with the good of the service. Col. Dunovants high personal character, his general efficiency as an officer, and his services in Mexico, on the frontier and in this war appeal strongly in his behalf. It is therefore earnestly hoped that your Excellency may not deem it inconsiderate with the responsibilities of your position to relieve Col. Dunovant from the crushing sentence of dismissal. And to empose such other and lighter penalty as may be deemed proper." From November 1862 to February 1863, numerous letters from prominent South Carolinians would be written to President Jefferson Davis on behalf of Dunovant seeking his reinstatement, among them a January 26th, 1863, letter from Brigadier General John S. Preston stating that: "I most respectfully and emphatically express my relief that the public welfare would be served by the restoration of Col. Dunovant. He is as skillful, gallant officer and I have perfect faith in his pledge. But I have doubts whether is it proper for me to sign the paper. In lieu thereof please let this matter go to the Secretary. My doubt arises from my being an officer in the Service." On February 16th, 1863, from Major General Richard H. Anderson, PACS, that: "Having learned that the friends of Colonel John Dunovant are making an effort to obtain for him restoration to his rank in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States. I very cordially write with them in soliciting that this may be done. I have known Colonel Dunovant for many years and I had familiar intercourse with him on Sullivan's Island and in Charleston during the early part of the war. From this acquaintance I unhesitatingly express my belief and opinion that he is worthy of having his commission restored to him. His good service with the Palmetto Regiment in Mexico won for him a commission in the Army of the U. States, in which he was looked upon by all who knew him, as an excellent officer and an estimable gentleman. I cannot but regard the circumstances under which he lost his commission in the Provisional Army as an unfortunate accident other than a consequence of bad habits, since I know that there was nothing in his previous course or life which would have led to that unhappy result. If it should please his Excellency the President to reinstate Colonel Dunovant or to give him an appointment in the Regular Army, I believe that the future conduct will prove that neither his efficiency nor his title to trust and confidence has been impaired by what has passed." And on February 28th, 1863, from Brigadier General Henry Heth, PACS, that: "I am induced by those ties of friendship cemented by service in the same Regiment to address you in behalf of my friend Jno. Dunovant late Col. In the Confederate service. In his old Regiment the 10th Infantry, Capt. Dunovant commended himself to, and was beloved by all, esteemed as a high toned, honorable gentleman, a fine soldier and an officer of marked courage. Capt. Dunovant's habits since his unfortunate difficulty have been in every respect exemplary, his high character as a man, and gentleman warrant me in saying that should you see proper to restore him to command that his future conduct will be such as will characterize the true soldier." Appointed as Colonel of the 5th South Carolina Volunteer Cavalry Regiment on July 28th, 1863; appointment confirmed on February 17th, 1864; on detached service mustering and inspecting troops in South Carolina in August 1863; served in the operations and actions around Charleston, South Carolina, from July 1863 to April 1864, being detailed to duty as the Inspecting & Mustering Officer of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Artillery Regiment from July to October 1863, and on a thirty (30) days leave of absence from January 23rd, 1864; served in the Siege of Richmond & Petersburg, Virginia, from May to October 1864, being engaged at Chester Station on May 10th, at Swift Creek on May 12th, at Drewry's Bluff on May 16th, at Atkinsons Farm on May 17th, along the South Side Railroad on May 18th, Engaged at Charles City (Wilson's Wharf) on May 24th, and was wounded in action (left hand) at Hawes Shop on May 28th, 1864; absent at the Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, suffering from a gunshot wound of the left hand from May 29th to July 8th, 1864; recommended for promotion by Major General Wade Hampton who wrote to Adjutant & Inspector General Samuel Cooper on July 18th, 1864, that: "I beg to recommend Col. John Dunovant, 5th Regt. So. Ca. Cavalry for promotion to Brigadier General. The condition & discipline of his Regt., its good conduct on every occasion in which it has been engaged, & the management of it on the field by Col. Dunovant all give ample assurance of his qualifications for higher position. His conduct at the fight of May 28th, where he was wounded, met my entire approval & I take great pleasure in recommending him cordially to your favorable consideration." The recommendation was endorsed on July 20th, 1864, by General Matthew C. Butler ("I endorse most cordially what Genl. Hampton has said of Col. Dunovant and join earnestly in the recommendation for his promotion.), on July 20th, 1864 by Major General Fitzhugh Lee ("The recommendations for the promotion of Col. Dunovant I heartily concur in. Col. D. was appointed a Capt. in the 10th U.S. Infantry 3rd Mar. 1855, and was long & favorable known as an officer of merit in the old Army. He was under my command for a short period upon the arrival of his Regt. in Va and came under my immediate notice in an action in Charles City Co. May 23d, 1864. I commend him for gallantry & bravery, and have no doubt the interest of service will be secured by enlarging the sphere of his operations.), on July 22nd, 1864, by Lieutenant General Richard H. Anderson, Major Generals Henry Heth and Joseph B. Kershaw, and on July 25th, 1864, by General Robert E. Lee ("I am much gratified at the high testimonials of character presented of Col. Dunovant. Of my own knowledge, I can add nothing to them, he has all confidence in the officers making them. I wish there was a Brigade of Cav. to which he could be assigned in this Army.); appointed as a Brigadier General, with temporary rank, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, from the State of South Carolina, on August 22nd, 1864, with rank from that date, however, the appointment never confirmed; accepted the appointment on August 29th, 1864; commanding Dunovant's (formerly Butler's) Brigade, Butler's (formerly Hampton's) Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, from August to October 1864, during which time he was engaged in the action at Gravelly Run on August 23rd, 1864, at Wyatt's Farm on September 29th, and at McDowell's Farm on September 30th; killed in action on October 1st, 1864, along the Vaughan Road near Petersburg, Virginia, supposedly by Sergeant James T. Clancy (1833-1870), 1st New Jersey Cavalry, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for "...extraordinary heroism on 1 October 1864, while serving with Company C, 1st New Jersey Cavalry, in action at Vaughn Road, Virginia. Sergeant Clancy shot the Confederate General Dunovant dead during a charge, thus confusing the enemy and greatly aiding in his repulse." Private John Sawyer of Company F, 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment wrote of Dunovant's death, "Near Poplar Springs Col. John Dunovant was leading a charge. He was on his horse. We dismounted. he was shot from his horse by the enemy. I saw him when he fell and tried to get to him to take him from the charge, but others ahead of me removed him to the rear. I saw him breathe his last. He was shot directly in the forehead with a minnie ball."
Died: October 1st, 1864, along the Vaughan Road near Petersburg, Virginia
Buried: Dunovant Family Burying Ground in Chester, Chester County, South Carolina
Notes
Brother of Colonel Robert G.M. Dunovant, 12th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment
General Dunovant was one of several officers to run afoul of Brigadier General Nathan George Evans, PACS, who filed charges against him, including Colonel Fitz W. McMaster, 17th S.C. Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Resources
Pages 389 to 390, Volume V (South Carolina), "Confederate Military History." Ellison Capers; Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, Georgia; 1899.
Page 146, "General Officers of the Confederate Army." Marcus J. Wright, The Neale Publishing Company, New York, New York, 1911.
Pages 78 & 79, "Generals in Gray. Lives of the Confederate Commanders." Ezra J. Warner, Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; 1997.
Page 389, Volume I, "Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, from its organization, September 29, 1789, to March 2, 1903." Francis B. Heitman, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1903.
Page 127, (The Death of Colonel John Dunovant' by John Sawyer, 5th S.C. Cavalry), Volume I, "Recollections and Reminiscences, 1861-1865, through World War I." South Carolina Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy; 1990.
Pages 6 & 7, Volume I, "South Carolina Troops in Confederate Service." A.S. Salley Jr., The State Company, Columbia, South Carolina, 1914.
Sword of General Dunovant. Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia.
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