John Dunlap Stevenson

John Dunlap Stevenson
Born June 8, 1821(1821-06-08)
Staunton, Virginia
Died January 22, 1897(1897-01-22) (aged 75)
St. Louis, Missouri
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861 - 1870
Rank brevet major general
Commands held 7th Missouri Infantry
Battles/wars

American Civil War

John D. Stevenson (June 8, 1821 – January 22, 1897) 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.

See also

United States Army portal
American Civil War portal

References