William Hugh McDowell was born on December 31, 1846 at Beattie's Ford, Iredell County, North Carolina to Robert Irwin McDowell (1813-1885) and Rebecca McDowell (Brevard) (1823-1904). He entered Virginia Military Institute (VMI) on August 22, 1863 and was assigned to the fourth (freshman) class. He was killed on May 15, 1864, while serving as a cadet Private in Company B at the Battle of New Market.

A fictional account of McDowell's participation in the Battle of New Market is featured in “The Ghost Cadet,” an award-winning children's book by Elaine Marie Alphin.

Primary Resources

The Archives has several primary resources related to William H. McDowell, including:

• Letter of recommendation from Mary Anna Jackson (wife of Stonewall Jackson) to Superintendent Francis H. Smith, January 20, 1863
• Letter from Rebecca McDowell (Brevard) to Superintendent Francis H. Smith, June 1, 1863
• Letter from Rebecca McDowell (Brevard) to Superintendent Francis H. Smith, October 3, 1863
  • In this letter, Rebecca McDowell (Brevard) asks Smith to allow Cadet McDowell to have his photograph taken. This photograph is the only known image of McDowell.
• Letter from John T. L. Preston informing the McDowell family of Cadet McDowell’s death, May 25, 1864
• Letter from Robert I. McDowell to J. N. Morrison regarding Cadet McDowell’s death, May 30, 1864
• Letter from Rebecca McDowell (Brevard) that mentions Cadet McDowell’s gold watch, July 25, 1864