Fought in the Texas War of Independence under General Sam Houston in 1835

Colonel 14th Ohio Infantry

At the battle of Chickamauga, he performed the most conspicuous act of personal courage recorded of any general officer on the Union side during the Civil War!

(1817-83) Born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, he joined the army under General Sam Houston in 1835, and fought in the Texas War of Independence. Steedman began his career in politics in 1847, twice winning election to the Ohio General Assembly. In 1849, he went west to try and seek his fortune in the California Gold Rush which proved to be unsuccessful. Returning to Ohio, he was appointed to the state's board for public works, serving from 1852 to 1857, being president for 3 years. Also during that period, he was admitted to the Ohio Bar Association, and established a law practice in Toledo. He was appointed major general in the Ohio State Militia in 1857. Steedman was a staunch supporter of Senator Stephen A. Douglas for president, and in 1860, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Charleston, S.C. At the commencement of the Civil War, in April 1861, he raised and was commissioned colonel of the 14th Ohio Infantry, and took part in the battle of Philippi, in western Virginia. Steedman and his regiment were then sent to serve in the Western Theater where they took part in the Union victory at the battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, in January 1862. He was promoted to brigadier general, on July 17, 1862, and rendered distinguished service at the battle of Perryville, Ky., where he received high praise from his superior General Don Carlos Buell in his official battle report. Steedman and his brigade also fought in the battle of Stones River, Tenn., in December 1862, in the Army of the Cumberland, under the command of General William S. Rosecrans. At Chickamauga, in September 1863, he performed the most conspicuous act of personal courage recorded of any general officer on the Union side. His heroism was virtually the salvation of the Union forces left on the field. In late 1863, he participated in the siege and battle of Chattanooga. He remained in Chattanooga, commanding all forces there until May 1864, during which time he was promoted to the rank of major general. He served in General William T. Sherman's army during the Atlanta campaign, and then fought against Rebel General John Bell Hood's army in the battle of Nashville. Afterwards, he was given command of the Department of Georgia, an assignment that lasted until December of 1865. He remained in the U.S. Army until he resigned on August 18, 1866. During the administration of President Andrew Johnson, he was the tax collector of Internal Revenue, stationed at New Orleans, La., until 1869. He then returned to Toledo, and became the editor of the Northern Ohio Democrat newspaper, and in 1870, he was elected to the Ohio State Senate. In May 1883, he was appointed Chief of Police in Toledo, a position he held until his death. Steedman died on October 18, 1883, at the age of 66, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Excellent quality half view in uniform with rank of major general. Back mark: E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York, made from a photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Very sharp image. Excellent condition. Very scarce and extremely desirable image!