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[Identification of item], James McDowell Regimental Books, WLU Coll 0078, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
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Gift of Mrs. Charles S. Carrington in 1899
This collection contains James McDowell's regimental manuscript books. The books were kept from August-November 1814 while McDowell served as a Lt. Colonel in the War of 1812. The volumes document various orders related to military appointments, court martials, drills, furloughs, inspections, etc. The first volume includes a roster of officers of the 5th Regiment of Virginia Militia. Most of the pages in this volume are blank.
James McDowell was born in Virginia on April 29, 1760. He served in the Continental Army and fought at the Battle of Yorktown. He moved to Kentucky in 1783. McDowell served as a Colonel in the War of 1812 and commanded the 5th Regiment of Virginia Militia. In addition, he served as sheriff of Rockbridge County and was a member of the Washington Collee Board of Trustees (1796-1835). His son, James McDowell, Sr., served as the Governor of Virginia from 1843-1846. McDowell died in Kentucky on December 31, 1843.