McDowell, Irvin, major-general, was born in Ohio, Oct. 
18, 1818, received his early education at the College of 
Troves in France, and was graduated at West Point in 1838, 
becoming second lieutenant in the 1st artillery.  He was 
recalled to the military academy in 1841, and served four 
years, first as assistant instructor in infantry tactics, and 
afterward as adjutant.  On the outbreak of the Mexican trouble 
he was appointed aide-de-camp to Gen. John E. Wool, and took a 
creditable part at the battle of Buena Vista in 1847, which 
earned for him the brevet of captain.  He continued with the 
army of occupation for a while, and was then made assistant 
adjutant-general in the war department serving in Washington, 
New York, and elsewhere, and attaining the rank of major on 
March 31, 1856.  After the Civil war was declared he occupied 
himself in organizing volunteer companies at the capital until 
he was made brigadier-general, May 14, 1861, and assigned to 
the command of the Department of northeastern Virginia.  On 
May 29 he was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and in 
such command fought the well-planned but unsuccessful battle 
of the first Bull Run.  On March 14, 1862, he was made major-
general of volunteers, and took part in the engagements of 
Cedar mountain, Rappahannock Station, and the second battle of 
Manassas, but ill fortune continued to follow him and he was 
retired from active duty on the field, Sept. 6, 1862.  On July 
1, 1864, he was assigned to the command of the Department of 
the Pacific, and on July 27, 1865 he was transferred to the 
Department of California, holding the latter office until 
March 31, 1868.  Meanwhile he was mustered out of the 
volunteer service and received the brevet of major-general, 
U.S.A, Sept. 1, 1866.  In July, 1868, he was assigned to the 
Department of the East, and on Nov. 25, 1872, he was promoted 
major-general.  After this he had command of the division of 
the South until June 30, 1876, and again of the Department of 
the Pacific until his retirement, Oct. 15, 1882.  Gen. 
McDowell died in San Francisco, May 4, 1885.