Irvin McDowell

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Irvin McDowell

United States general

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Oct 11, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

Born:: Oct. 15, 1818, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

Died:: May 4, 1885, San Francisco (aged 66)

Role In:: American Civil War; First Battle of Bull Run; Mexican-American War; Second Battle of Bull Run

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Irvin McDowell (born Oct. 15, 1818, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.—died May 4, 1885, San Francisco) was a U.S. Federal army officer who, after serving through the Mexican War, was promoted to brigadier general in 1861 and put in command of the Department of Northeastern Virginia. During the Civil War, he lost the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, and was succeeded by George B. McClellan. He took part in the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 29–30, 1862) as a major general and corps commander, was relieved of command for his conduct in battle, but was later exonerated. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1882.

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