Brigadier General Matt Whitaker Ransom reported the regiment under his leadership did admirable service at the Second Battle of Drewry's Bluff, or Second Battle of Fort Darling, on May 16, 1864, and subsequently in the encounters with Philip Sheridan's cavalry. He provided gallant services with Butler's brigade at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Battle of Trevilian Station and other engagements in the Overland Campaign and early Siege of Petersburg, thereby redeeming his reputation. He was wounded in the left hand at the Battle of Haw's Shop on May 28, 1864. On August 2, 1864, President Jefferson Davis suggested to General Robert E. Lee, Dunovant's promotion to brigadier general with temporary rank, and Davis so appointed him on August 22, 1864. In this capacity he had brigade command under General Hampton until his death six weeks later. In September 1864, Dunovant jeopardized his reputation again while leading a regiment on a night patrol. Challenged by pickets that his officers realized were Union soldiers, Dunovant insisted that the pickets allow his men to pass. He sent a captain ahead to identify his command. It was only after the captain was taken prisoner and the Union pickets began to fire into the darkness that Dunovant could be convinced of his mistake. Dunovant was killed October 1, 1864 in the fighting north of the James River, following the capture of Fort Harrison at the Battle of Vaughan Road, part of the overall Battle of Peebles' Farm. He was shot down while leading a charge against the Union position. Major General Matthew Butler wanted to turn the Union flank and initially rejected Dunovant's insistence on a frontal charge. Butler finally allowed the persistent Dunovant to lead his reluctant troops in a charge. When Dunovant was promptly shot down, the troops quickly retreated. Union Sergeant James T. Clancy of the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry was credited with firing the shot that killed General Dunovant. Historians have suggested that Dunovant's rash action was motivated by his continuing effort to redeem his reputation. On receipt of news of the death of the gallant soldier, General Lee replied to General Hampton: "I grieve with you at the loss of General Dunovant and Dr. Fontaine, two officers whom it will be difficult to replace." John Dunovant was buried in a family burial plot southeast of Chester, South Carolina.