Other work Law | Name John Stevenson | |
Allegiance United States of AmericaUnion Years of service 1846 - 1847, 1861 - 1870 Rank ColonelBrevet Major General Battles/wars American Civil WarBattle of Port GibsonBattle of RaymondBattle of Champion HillSiege of Vicksburg Education University of South Carolina Commands held 7th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Battles and wars Battle of Port Gibson, Battle of Raymond, Battle of Champion Hill, Siege of Vicksburg, American Civil War Service/branch | ||
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 as a company commander in the 1st Missouri Mounted Volunteers during general Stephen Kearny's invasion of the New Mexico Territory in 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. He is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery.