John S. Preston

John S. Preston
Brig. Gen. John S. Preston
Born(1809-04-20)April 20, 1809
Abingdon, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMay 1, 1881(1881-05-01) (aged 72)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Place of burial
Trinity Cathedral Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Branch Confederate States Army
Years of service18631865
RankBrigadier General
CommandsBureau of Conscription
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
Other workAttorney, politician, planter

John Smith Preston (April 20, 1809 May 1, 1881) was a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He was also a wealthy planter and attorney who became prominent in South Carolina politics in the 19th century. An ardent secessionist, he was the state's delegate dispatched to help convince the Virginia Secession Convention to join South Carolina in seceding from the antebellum Union in the months prior to the start of the American Civil War.