American Historical Ephemera & Photography

STEDMAN, William. Autograph letter signed ("Wm Stedman"), to his daughter Helen Stedman. Camp Denison [Ohio], 21 January 1862. 4pp, 5 x 8 in., On 6th Ohio Cavalry letterhead, light toning. Stedman discusses the health of his regiment, his duties, questions about whether his cavalry will be disbanded, and provides updates on several soldiers as well as on his own health. --  STEDMAN, Edward (1843-1906). Autograph letter signed ("Eddie"), to his sisters. "Camp on Potomac Crick," 22 December 1862. 4pp, 5 x 8 in., On 6th Ohio Cavalry letterhead, light soil, dampstain near center, toning. Gen. Stedman's son enlisted on 14 August 1862 as a private into the 6th Ohio Cavalry with his father, and wrote this letter "in father's tent." He shares that though they were not in the engagement at Fredericksburg they were within hearing distance of the cannonading, and moved "as fast as unfed horses & bad roads would let us we arrived at Fredericksburg the River the day Burnsides army fell back & are here awaiting orders." He further discusses picket duty and the landscape as well as the people he has encountered, noting that the "inhabitance [sic] & negroes are about on average as to an education one knows as much as the other."

[With:] An unsigned letter to General Steadman. N.p., 26 January 1867. 5 1/4 x 10 in. (scattered ink marks, light soil). With accompanying envelope (light soil, postage removed). Steadman was then serving as an Ohio legislator, with the letter calling to the General 's attention alleged theft and political impropriety by "The Copperhead that has now got charge of the Penitentery..." -- Unsigned autograph note. Camp Hutchins, 21 December 1861. 1p, 7 3/4 x 4 in. (soil, creasing and separation at folds). Notifying "Wm Stedman, Major Commanding," about a member of "Capt Richarts Co." who will be on leave for four days.  

William Stedman (sometimes "Steadman") was born in Granville, Ohio. He enlisted 14 May 1861 as a captain with Co. F, Ohio 7th Infantry for three months service and then was commissioned into Field & Staff OH 6th Cavalry. With the 6th, Stedman engaged in significant operations throughout the Eastern Theater including the Battles of Bull Run, Brandy Station, and Cold Harbor. He mustered out 6 October 1864 having achieved the rank brigadier general by brevet in 1865. Stedman was an abolitionist and a Republican who after the war was elected to serve in both the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate. President Grant appointed Stedman to a consular position in Cuba where he contracted yellow fever and died in 1869.