- Daniel Govan
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Daniel Chevilette Govan 
Daniel Chevilette GovanBorn July 4, 1829
Northampton County, North CarolinaDied March 12, 1911 (aged 81)
Memphis, TennesseePlace of burial Hillcrest Cemetery,
Holly Springs, MississippiAllegiance United States of America
Confederate States of AmericaService/branch Confederate States Army Years of service 1861–65 Rank Brigadier General Battles/wars American Civil War Daniel Chevilette Govan (July 4, 1829 – March 12, 1911) was an American miner, planter, and soldier. He served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War, prominent in campaigns and battles in the Western Theater.
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Early life and career
Daniel C. Govan was born in Northampton County, North Carolina.[1] His father was an U.S. Representative from South Carolina, and in 1832 relocated Govan's family to Marshall County, Mississippi, where he was raised. Govan received his primary education from private tutoring and then attended South Carolina College (modern day University of South Carolina) graduating in 1848.[2]
Govan participated in the 1849 California Gold Rush along with his cousin Benjamin McCulloch, who would also become a Confederate general.[3] In 1850 Govan was elected deputy sheriff of Sacramento, and two years later he returned to Mississippi and took up work as a planter. In December 1853 Govan married Mary Fogg Otey, the daughter of prominent theologian James Hervey Otey, with whom he would have 14 children. In 1860 he moved to Helena, Arkansas, and again became a planter.[4]
Civil War service
At the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861, Govan chose to follow his home state and the Confederate cause. He raised a company of men and in May he was appointed a captain in the Arkansas State forces. On June 5 he was elected lieutenant colonel in the 2nd Arkansas Infantry, and on January 28, 1862, was promoted to colonel and given command of the regiment.[5]
Govan during the Civil War
Govan and his men participated in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. Following Shiloh, Govan took part in Edmund Kirby Smith's Kentucky Campaign and fought at the Battle of Perryville in October.[4] At one point during this battle Govan temporarily commanded a brigade. He then fought at the Battle of Stones River that winter and at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863.[4] Govan led a brigade in the Reserve Corps of the Army of Tennessee from August to November.[5] During the Battle of Missionary Ridge Govan played a prominent role in the Battle of Ringgold Gap, receiving high praise from his commander, Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne.[4]
On December 29, 1863, Govan was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.[6] His command consisting of the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiments. Govan's brigade participated in the Atlanta Campaign, and he received particular mention for his conduct at the Battle of Pickett's Mill in May 1864. Govan was captured after a fierce battle at the Battle of Jonesborough on September 1, but was exchanged for George Stoneman on October 2.[7]
Govan served the remainder of the war with the Army of Tennessee, participating in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign and then the Carolinas Campaign.[4] He was seriously wounded in his throat on December 16 at Nashville.[8] Govan surrendered in 1865 with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston at Greensboro, North Carolina. He was paroled from there on May 1 and was pardoned by the U.S. Government on December 12.[7]
Postbellum career
Following the war, Govan returned home and resumed farming. He later served as the Indian agent at the Tulalip Agency in the state of Washington in 1894. Govan died in 1911 at the home of one of his children in Memphis, Tennessee. His body was brought to Holly Springs, Mississippi, and was buried at the city's Hillcrest Cemetery.[4]
See also
Notes
- ^ Eicher, p. 260. Born on either July 4, 1827 or July 4, 1829.
- ^ Wakelyn, pp. 206-7.
- ^ Warner, 112.
- ^ a b c d e f Wakelyn, p. 207.
- ^ a b Eicher, p. 260.
- ^ Wright, p. 117. Appointed from Arkansas on February 5, 1864, to rank from December 29, 1863, and confirmed by the Confederate Congress on date of appointment.
- ^ a b Eicher, p. 261.
- ^ Battle of Nashville Preservation Society site Conf. Order of Battle. Govan's Brigade at Nashville consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 19th, 24th Arkansas Infantry Regiments.
References
- Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
- Wakelyn, Jon L., Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy, Greenwood Press, 1977, ISBN 0-8371-6124-X.
- Warner, Ezra J., Generals in Gray: The Lives of the Confederate Commanders, Louisiana State University Press, 1959, ISBN 0-8071-3150-3.
- Wright, Marcus J., General Officers of the Confederate Army, J. M. Carroll & Co., 1983, ISBN 0-8488-0009-5.
- bonps.org Battle of Nashville Preservation Society site Conf. Order of Battle.
Categories:- 1829 births
- 1911 deaths
- Confederate States Army generals
- American Civil War prisoners of war
- People of Arkansas in the American Civil War
- People of North Carolina in the American Civil War
- People of Mississippi in the American Civil War
- American planters
- Recipients of American presidential pardons
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