Daniel Chevilette Govan | |
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| Born | (1829-07-04)July 4, 1829 Northampton County, North Carolina, US |
| Died | March 12, 1911(1911-03-12) (aged 81) Memphis, Tennessee, US |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Service | 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 anAmerican miner, planter, and soldier. He served as aConfederategeneral during theAmerican Civil War, prominent in campaigns and battles in theWestern Theater.
Daniel C. Govan was born inNorthampton County, North Carolina.[1] His father wasU.S. RepresentativeAndrew R. Govan fromSouth Carolina, who in 1832 relocated the family toMarshall County, Mississippi, where he was raised. Govan received his primary education from private tutoring and then attended South Carolina College (modern dayUniversity of South Carolina) graduating in 1848.[2]
Govan participated in the 1849California Gold Rush along with his cousinBenjamin McCulloch, who would also become a Confederate general.[3] In 1850 Govan was elected deputy sheriff ofSacramento, 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 theologianJames Hervey Otey, with whom he would have 14 children. In 1860 he moved toHelena, Arkansas, and again became a planter.[4]
At the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861, Govan chose to follow his home state and the Confederate cause. He raised acompany of men and in May he was appointed acaptain in the Arkansas State forces. On June 5 he was electedlieutenant colonel in the2nd Arkansas Infantry, and on January 28, 1862, was promoted tocolonel and given command of theregiment.[5]
Govan and his men participated in theBattle of Shiloh in April 1862. Following Shiloh, Govan took part inEdmund Kirby Smith'sKentucky Campaign and fought at theBattle of Perryville in October.[4] At one point during this battle Govan temporarily commanded abrigade. He then fought at theBattle of Stones River that winter and at theBattle of Chickamauga in September 1863.[4] Govan led a brigade in the Reserve Corps of theArmy of Tennessee from August to November.[5] During theBattle of Missionary Ridge Govan played a prominent role in theBattle of Ringgold Gap, receiving high praise from his commander,Maj. Gen.Patrick Cleburne.[4]
On December 29, 1863, Govan was promoted to the rank ofbrigadier general.[6] His command consisting of the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiments. Govan's brigade participated in theAtlanta Campaign, and he received particular mention for his conduct at theBattle of Pickett's Mill in May 1864. Govan was captured after a fierce battle at theBattle of Jonesborough on September 1, but was exchanged forGeorge Stoneman on October 2.[7]
Govan served the remainder of the war with the Army of Tennessee, participating in theFranklin-Nashville Campaign and then theCarolinas Campaign.[4] He was seriously wounded in his throat on December 16 atNashville.[8] Govan surrendered in 1865 withGen.Joseph E. Johnston atGreensboro, North Carolina. He was paroled from there on May 1 and was pardoned by the U.S. Government on December 12.[7]
Following the war, Govan returned home and resumed farming. He later served as the Indian agent at the Tulalip Agency in the state ofWashington in 1894. Govan died in 1911 at the home of one of his children inMemphis, Tennessee. His body was brought toHolly Springs, Mississippi, and was buried at the city's Hillcrest Cemetery.[4]
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