John Dunlap Stevenson
Encyclopedia
John D. Stevenson was an American attorney, politician, and soldier in the U.S. Army in two wars. He was promoted to brevet
major general
of volunteers at the end of the American Civil War
.
After attending the College of South Carolina
, he began practicing law in Franklin County, Missouri
, in 1842. He served with Stephen Kearny during his invasion of the New Mexico Territory
during the Mexican-American War. Stevenson later became a member of the Missouri state legislature. Even though he had been born in Virginia
and had graduated from college in South Carolina, he became a strong supporter of the Union cause.
On November 29, 1862, he was made brigadier general of volunteers in the Union Army
. He commanded the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, XVII Corps, referred to as the "Irish Brigade" during the Vicksburg Campaign. He is most famous for making a charge at the Battle of Champion Hill
which broke the Confederate
left flank. He participated in the subsequent siege and mine explosion at Vicksburg. He later commanded the District of Corinth
.
After the war, he was made a brevet brigadier general in the Regular Army and then practiced law in St. Louis, Missouri
, after retiring from the military.
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
of volunteers at the end of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
After attending the College of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, he began practicing law in Franklin County, Missouri
Franklin County, Missouri
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri on the south side of the Missouri River. Franklin County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area and contains many of the St. Louis exurbs. Census 2010 put the population at 101,492; making it the 10th most populous county in Missouri....
, in 1842. He served with Stephen Kearny during his invasion of the New Mexico Territory
New Mexico Territory
thumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
during the Mexican-American War. Stevenson later became a member of the Missouri state legislature. Even though he had been born in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and had graduated from college in South Carolina, he became a strong supporter of the Union cause.
On November 29, 1862, he was made brigadier general of volunteers in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He commanded the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, XVII Corps, referred to as the "Irish Brigade" during the Vicksburg Campaign. He is most famous for making a charge at the Battle of Champion Hill
Battle of Champion Hill
The Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
which broke the Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
left flank. He participated in the subsequent siege and mine explosion at Vicksburg. He later commanded the District of Corinth
Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth is a city in Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,054 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alcorn County. Its ZIP codes are 38834 and 38835.- History :...
.
After the war, he was made a brevet brigadier general in the Regular Army and then practiced law in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, after retiring from the military.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals