Irvin McDowell

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Irvin McDowell

Irvin McDowell 1818-85, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Columbus, Ohio. He taught at West Point (1841-45) and was made captain for his service in the Mexican War. In the Civil War, McDowell, promoted to brigadier general in the regular army (May, 1861), commanded the Union troops at the first battle of Bull Run . After that defeat he commanded a corps under his successor, George B. McClellan. When the Peninsular campaign began, McDowell's 1st Corps (then called the Army of the Rappahannock) was withdrawn from McClellan's command to defend Washington. In the summer of 1862, McDowell's force fought at the second battle of Bull Run. McDowell shared in the blame for that defeat and was removed from command. He later commanded various territorial departments until his retirement in 1882. He was promoted to major general in 1872.

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McDowell, Irvin

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | Â© The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

McDowell, Irvin (1818–85) Union general, born in Columbus, Ohio. He commanded forces at First (1861) and Second (1862) Bull Run but held no important commands after his performance at those two disastrous defeats, which proved him ineffective in the field.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	American Civil War: "The Fatal Blunder of the Day".(artillery deployment at Bull Run) Magazine article from: FA Journal; 7/1/2001
	Banners South: A Northern Community at War.(Book review) Magazine article from: Parameters; 9/22/2006
	The two faces of George Armstrong Custer. Magazine article from: USA Today (Magazine); 5/1/1994

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