Irvin McDowell
Irvin McDowell was a Union general during the American Civil War, born in Ohio and educated in France before attending West Point, where he graduated in 1838. His military career began in the artillery, and he gained recognition for his actions during the Mexican-American War, notably at the Battle of Buena Vista. When the Civil War began, McDowell was promoted to brigadier general and tasked with defending Washington, D.C. His leadership during the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 ended in a significant defeat for the Union, leading to his replacement by General George B. McClellan. Despite this setback, McDowell continued to serve, eventually commanding the Third Corps at the Second Battle of Bull Run, where he faced criticism but was later exonerated. He also played a role in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and ultimately commanded the Department of the Pacific after the war. McDowell retired in 1882, and his life and contributions remain less documented compared to other Civil War figures.
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Irvin McDowell
Armed Forces Personnel
- Born: October 15, 1818
- Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
- Died: May 4, 1885
- Place of death: San Francisco, California
Born: October 15, 1818; Columbus, Ohio
Died: May 4, 1885; San Francisco, California
Principal wars: Mexican-American War, American Civil War
Principal battles: First Bull Run (1861), Second Bull Run (1862)
Military significance: McDowell commanded the Union Army at First Bull Run.
Born in Ohio, Irvin McDowell was first educated in France and then at West Point. He graduated in 1838 and was assigned to the artillery. During the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), he was breveted for his actions at Buena Vista (1847).
Between the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War (1861–1865), McDowell worked in the adjutant general’s department, rising to the rank of major and serving as assistant adjutant general.
When the American Civil War erupted, officers with battle experience were at a premium in both armies. Promoted to brigadier general and charged with the defense of the capitol, McDowell was under political pressure to strike the Confederates at the Battle of the First Bull Run (1861). The result was a disaster for the Union Army. Their retreat was known as the “the great skedaddle.” Days later, President Abraham Lincoln replaced McDowell with General George B. McClellan, and McDowell became a division commander under McClellan.
Later, McDowell was placed in command of the First Corps. He was to join forces with McClellan, then in the midst of his Peninsula Campaign, and move on to Richmond. However, McDowell’s forces had to contend with Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, and the move on Richmond was averted.
McDowell also commanded the Third Corps at Second Bull Run. Partially blamed for the defeat of the Union Army at that battle, McDowell requested a court of inquiry and was eventually cleared of any responsibility for the defeat. He was later assigned command of the Department of the Pacific.
After the war, McDowell commanded the Departments of the South and West and retired in 1882. Little has been written about his life.
Bibliography
Longacre, Edward G. “Fortune’s Fool.” Civil War Times Illustrated 18 (May, 1979): 20–31.
Robertson, James I., Jr. Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend. New York: Macmillan, 1997.