John Dunlap Stevenson

Who was John Dunlap Stevenson?

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.