Union General Irvin McDowell Army of the Potomac Born 1818 Died
1885 After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, McDowell
served with the 1st Artillery and then returned to the academy
as the adjutant. During the Mexican War he was brevetted a
captain for gallant and meritorious conduct. From then until the
outbreak of the Civil War, McDowell was employed in various
staff duties in Washington, New York, and Texas, being promoted
to brevet major on 31 March 1856. In 1861, at the urging of his
close friend Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, McDowell
was promoted three grades to brigadier general in the Regular
Army and assigned commander of the newly organized army at
Washington. Although he requested more time to prepare his
force, McDowell was ordered to advance immediately against the
Confederate force at Manassas Junction. In the ensuing Battle of
First Bull Run (21 July 1861 ), he dashed around the field,
trying personally to encourage his men. Although the morning
phase of the battle saw the