Samuel McGowan (jurist)
| Samuel McGowan | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
October 19, 1819 Laurens County, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 1897 (aged 77) Abbeville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Buried | 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 an American military officer, lawyer, politician, judge, and a Brigadier general in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. Born in South Carolina, 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." Following reconstruction, he was elected to the United States Congress but refused to take his seat, later serving as an Associate Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Born to Irish parents in the Laurens District of South Carolina, McGowan's father was a prosperous farmer who had intended his son to study law. 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.
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Wikipedia