| John Dunovant | |
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John Dunovant |
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| Born | March 5, 1825 Chester, South Carolina |
| Died | October 1, 1864 (aged 39) near the James River, Virginia |
| Buried at | Private Family Cemetery |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Service/branch | Confederate States Army Cavalry |
| Years of service | 1861–64 |
| Rank | Brigadier General (temporary) |
| Commands held | Fort Moultrie 1st South Carolina Regiment 5th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
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.
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Brigadier General John Dunovant was born in Chester, South Carolina, 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.[1]
Dunovant held the rank of major of infantry in the Confederate States Army 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.[1]
General Dunovant was killed October 1, 1864 in the fighting north of the James River, 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.[2]
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."