Marcellus Augustus Stovall
From Dixiepedia: The PC-Free Encyclopedia
Marcellus Augustus Stovall (18 September 1818 - 4 August 1895) was born in Sparta, Georgia, the oldest son of a prominent Augusta cotton merchant. He harbored military ambitions from his youth, but his hopes were seemingly dashed when he was dismissed from West Point in 1837. Nonetheless, he persisted and took an active role in the pre-war Georgia militia.
When the War Between the States began in 1861, Stovall commanded a militia company - the Cherokee Artillery. In October of the same year, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in the 3rd Georgia Infantry, serving under Kirby Smith in Kentucky and in January of 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Though hampered by illness, he ably led his brigade at Jackson, Mississippi, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, and through the Atlanta and Tennessee campaigns.
General Stovall rose above the social and political turmoil of Reconstruction to become a successful businessman and civic leader in Augusta. He was held in high esteem by his former comrades in arms who attributed to him a "soul of honor." Throughout his life, Stovall persevered in his duty to his family, community, and country despite the attendant hardships he encountered from disease, family tragedy, war, and personal loss. He died at Augusta.
