Samuel McGowan (general)
| Samuel McGowan | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
October 19, 1819 Laurens County, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 1897 (aged 77) Abbeville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Buried at | Upper Long Cane Cemetery Abbeville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America Confederate States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army Confederate Army
|
| Years of service | 1846–1847 (U.S.) 1861–1865 (C.S.) |
| Rank |
 Captain (USV) Major general (S.C. militia) Brigadier general (C.S.) |
| Unit | Palmetto Regiment (U.S.) |
| Commands held | 14th South Carolina Infantry (C.S.) McGowan's Brigade |
| Battles/wars | |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Caroline Wardlaw McGowan |
| Other work | Lawyer, judge, politician |
Mexican-American War
American Civil War
Samuel McGowan (October 19, 1819 – August 9, 1897) was a Confederate military officer from South Carolina, who fought in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. He commanded a brigade in A.P. Hill's famous "Light Division" and was wounded several times. Ezra Warner's book, Generals in Gray, claims that "McGowan's career and reputation were not excelled by any other brigade commander in the Army of Northern Virginia."
Born in the Laurens District of South Carolina, McGowan attended and graduated from South Carolina College in 1841, where he was a member of the Clariosophic Society. Subsequently, he studied law in Abbeville and was admitted to the bar. Prior to the Civil War, McGowan practiced law as partner of Thomas C. Perrin and served in state politics. He volunteered for service in the Mexican-American War and enlisted as a private in the Palmetto Regiment. He was commended for his gallantry near Mexico City, rose to the rank of captain and served as quartermaster and staff officer.
In late 1860 he was appointed to command a brigade of the South Carolinian militia, being a major general in the same, and was present at the attack on Fort Sumter. At the First Battle of Bull Run, McGowan served as an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Milledge Bonham. In September 1861 he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 14th South Carolina Infantry; and became the Colonel of the regiment in April 1862. The 14th was assigned to Maxcy Gregg's brigade in A.P. Hill's Light Division. After Gregg was killed in the Battle of Fredericksburg, McGowan was promoted to brigadier general (to rank from January 17, 1863) and took command of the Light Division's South Carolina brigade. One of his fellow officers was Abner M. Perrin, the nephew of his former law partner, who would succeed him in command of the regiment. Except for when wounded, McGowan commanded this brigade for the rest of the war, surrendering with it at Appomattox Court House.
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Wikipedia