“D” is for Dunovant, John (1825-1864)

“D” is for Dunovant, John (1825-1864). Soldier. Dunovant was born in Chester and fought in the Mexican War as a sergeant in the famed Palmetto Regiment. In 1855 he was commissioned a captain in the regular United States Army. Dunovant resigned his commission in early 1861 and was appointed a major in the South Carolina volunteers. In August 1862 he was court-martialed for drunkenness and cashiered. Soon after being run out of the service, Dunovant was returned to duty as a colonel of the Fifth South Carolina cavalry. In Virginia the Fifth S. C. saw action in some of the grittiest fighting of the war. Dunovant earned high praise for his efforts at places such as Drewry’s Bluff, Trevilian Station, and Cold