Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868

Frederick Steele (1819-1868) was a career military officer in the United States Army and a major general during the U.S. Civil War. A native of Delhi, N.Y., Steele graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and participated in numerous battles in the Mexican-American War. During the Civil War he played a crucial role in the Union military effort throughout the Trans-Mississippi Theater and was promoted to major general in April 1863. He successfully captured Confederate-held Little Rock in September 1863 and subsequently pushed official Union boundaries south through the state. He later led the ill-fated Camden Expedition, a two-pronged military campaign that was supposed to unite northward-marching soldiers led by Generals Nathaniel P. Banks and David D. Porter and Steele's own Arkansas-based troops for a strike into Texas.

From the description of Frederick Steele letter, 1864 May 14. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 262685540

Frederick Steele was born at Delhi, Delaware County, New York, January 14, 1819. He was appointed cadet at West Point in 1839 and commissioned as 2nd lieutenant, 2nd infantry in 1843. He fought in the Mexican War, 1847-1848 and served in California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Alabama. In 1862 he was made Major General of Volunteers and served in that capacity in the Civil War. He died in San Mateo, California in January 1868.

From the description of General Frederick Steele papers, 1845-1965 (inclusive), 1862-1868 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122510705

Biography

• 1819, Jan. 14: Born at Delhi, Delaware Co., N.Y. Son of Nathanial S. and descendent of John S., a founder of Hartford, Conn.
• 1839: Appointed cadet at West Point.
• 1843, July 1: Graduated from West Point; commissioned 2nd lieutenant, 2nd infantry.
• 1846 - 47 : Mexican War. In action at Ocalaca, Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec. Twice brevetted for gallant conduct (Contreras and Churubusco).
• 1848, June 6: 1st lieutenant, 2nd infantry.
• 1848 - 53 : Served in California.
• 1853 - 61 : Served in Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas.
• 1855, Feb. 5: Captain, 2nd Infantry.
• 1861, May 14: Major, 11th Infantry.
• 1861 +: During 1st year of Civil War, commanded a brigade at Wilson's Creek and other operations in Missouri.
• 1861, Sept. 23: Colonel of 8th Iowa Infantry (Volunteers).
• 1862, Jan. 29: Brigadier General of Volunteers.
• 1862: Arkansas campaign. Division commander of Curtis' Army of the Southwest.
• 1862, Nov. 29: Major General of Volunteers.
• 1863: Division commander in XIII Army Corps in operations against Chickasaw Bluffs and Arkansas Post. (Jan. 11)
• 1863, May - July 4 : Division commander in XV Army Corps (Sherman's) in Vicksburg campaign.
• 1863, Sept. - 1864 : In command of forces in Arkansas.
• 1863, Sep 10: Capture of Little Rock.
• 1864, Mar. - 1864 May : Red River Campaign, capture of Camden, battle of Jenkin's Ferry.
• 1865, Jan. - 1865 July : Canby's campaign against Mobile, in command of forces in Alabama east of Mobile Bay.
• 1865, July - 1865 Oct. : Commanded Western District of Texas with headquarters at Brownsville on the Rio Grande.
• 1865, Nov. - 1867 Dec. : Commanded Department of the Columbia.
• 1867, March 1: Mustered out as Major General of Volunteers; promoted to Lt. Colonel in the regular army Aug. 26, 1863 and Colonel July 28, 1866.
• 1868, Jan. 12: Died in San Mateo, California.

From the guide to the General Frederick Steele Papers, 1845-1965 (inclusive), 1862-1868 (bulk), (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)