McDowell, Irvin (1818-1885)

US soldier. A West Point graduate of 1838, he served in the Mexican War, on the frontier, and at army headquarters in Washington, DC. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was given command of the Union troops assigned to defend the nation's capital - his first true command position - and political demands for a quick victory forced him to commit an unready Union army to battle at Bull Run (Manassas) in July 1861; the resulting defeat cost him the top command. He continued to lead units within the Army of the Potomac but after his performance at Second Bull Run (August 1862), he was removed and never again commanded troops in the field. However, he continued in the army in various administrative posts until 1882. Later he served as parks commissioner of San Francisco, California. McDowell was born in Columbus, Ohio.