September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
STEEDMAN, James Blair (1817-1883) was an American soldier, printer, and politician. He also served during the American Civil War as a general in the Union Army, most noted for his performances at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863 and the Battle of Nashville in 1864. During the Battle of Perryville on October 8, his brigade reinforced Brig. Gen. Rousseau's division, timely filling a gap in the Union line and saving the division from being pushed from the field. Steedman would receive a high commendation from Buell in his official report of the battle. Steedman is credited with "performing the most conspicuous act of personal courage recorded by any army officer during the Battle of Chickamauga" and preventing Rosecrans' defeat turning into a Union "disaster."Military historian Ezra J. Warner stated that "His heroism was virtually the salvation of the Union forces left on the field" at Chickamauga. During the fight, Steedman was wounded when his horse was shot and killed under him War-date Union officer's Letter Signed "Gustavus Schueler" 1st Lt. Lt. Ary Mo. Vols, Comdg Battery, 2pp. folio, Battery 'G' 1st Arty, Mo. Vols, Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 7, 1864, addressed to Major W. McMichael, AG Dept. Cumberland, and reads in part: "...I have the honor to request he issuing of an order, for (33) thirty three enlisted men of this Battery - whose time will expire on the 10th inst to proceed to St. Louis Mo. The original rendezvous of the Compy. in order to be mustered out of service of the United States. There are only two commissioned officers of the Batty present, two being detailed to other Batteries in the Front..." With endorsements on verso by Brigadier General JAMES BLAIR STEEDMAN, Colonel CHARLES S. COTTER, 1st Ohio Artillery, Bvt. Colonel WILLIAM McMICHAEL, Colonel JOHN HARDIN FERRY, 7th Indiana Infantry. About very good condition.
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