The Civil War in South Carolina
Dunovant, Brig. Gen. John
Brigadier-General John Dunovant was named to his position by an act of
Governor Pickens (SC) on 17 DEC 1861 and held the rank of major of infantry in the State army during the
initial operations of the war of the Confederacy, and during the bombardment of Fort Sumter was
present at Fort Moultrie, doing all that was in his power. Subsequently he became colonel of the
First regiment of infantry, and was stationed for some time on Sullivan's island and at Fort
Moultrie. Later in 1862 he was given command of the Fifth regiment, South Carolina cavalry, in
which capacity he served in the State, until ordered to Virginia in March, 1864. There he and his
regiment were under the brigade command of Gen. M. C. Butler, in Wade Hampton's division of
Stuart's cavalry. The regiment under his leadership did admirable service, General Ransom
reported, at the battle of Drewry's Bluff, May 16th, and subsequently in the encounters with
Sheridan's cavalry, he shared the services of Butler's brigade at Cold Harbor,
Trevilian's and other important conflicts. On August 2, I864, President Davis suggested to
General Lee, Dunovant's promotion to temporary rank as brigadier-general, and it was soon
afterward ordered. In this capacity he had brigade command under General Hampton until, in the
fighting north of the James river, following the capture of Fort Harrison,he was killed October 1, 1864. 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."
REF: Confederate Military History Vol. 5, pg. 13
Confederate Military History Vol. 5, pg. 389
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