- Edward Steptoe
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Edward Jenner Steptoe
Lt. Col. Edward Jenner SteptoeBorn November 7, 1815
Bedford County, VirginiaDied April 1, 1865 (aged 49)Buried at Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg, VA (37°24′08″N 79°08′21″W / 37.402320°N 79.139244°WCoordinates: 37°24′08″N 79°08′21″W / 37.402320°N 79.139244°W) Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Army Years of service 1837 - 1861 Rank Lieutenant Colonel Battles/wars Mexican-American War
- Siege of Vera Cruz
- Battle of Cerro Gordo
- Battle of San Antonio Garita
- Battle of Buena Vista
- Battle of Chapultepec
Indian Wars (Spokane – Coeur d'Alene – Paloos War)
Edward Jenner Steptoe (November 7, 1815 - April 1, 1865) was an officer in the United States Army who served in the Mexican-American War and the Indian Wars. He is primarily remembered for his defeat at the Battle of Pine Creek during the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-Paloos War. It was at Pine Creek where Steptoe and 164 men were ambushed by over 1000 Indian warriors.[1][2] The battle, and the subsequent (successful) retreat, is also known as "the Steptoe Disaster."[3]
Contents
History
Steptoe was born in Virginia and graduated from West Point on July 1, 1837. He first saw action in Florida fighting against the Seminoles.[3][4]
From 1838 to 1842, Steptoe fought extensively in the Mexican-American War. Initially at the rank of captain, he participated in The Siege of Vera Cruz, and fought in the Battles of Cerro Gordo, San Antonio Garita, Buena Vista, and Chapultepec. After Cerro Gordo he was promoted to brevet major, and following Chapultepec he was promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel.[4]
After the war, he was posted to Utah to deal with problems between Native Americans and white settlers. In 1854, President Franklin Pierce offered Steptoe the governorship of the Utah Territory, to replace Brigham Young. Steptoe did not receive the actual letter from Pierce until March 1855. By that time he had already decided to turn down the offer.[4]
In May 1858, during the Spokane–Coeur d'Alene–Paloos War, a combined force of about 1,000 Coeur d’Alenes, Spokanes, and Palouses attacked and defeated a force of 164 US troops under Steptoe at the Battle of Pine Creek.[1]
He retired due to ill health in 1861, and died four years later. He is buried in Lynchburg, Virginia, where his tombstone is marked: "Edward J. Steptoe, Lieut. Col., Army of the United States."
Geographic features named after Steptoe
See also
Bibliography
- Biographical Annals of the Civil Government of the United States. During its first century; from original and official sources. By Charles Lanman. Washington, DC: James Anglim, 1876.
- Drake's Dictionary of American Biography. Including men of the time, containing nearly 10,000 notices of persons of both sexes, of native and foreign birth, who have been remarkable, or prominently connected with the arts, sciences, literature, politics, or history, of the American continent. By Francis S. Drake. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co., 1872.
- Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars, 1492-1890. By Jerry Keenan. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1997.
References
- ^ a b Oregon volunteers battle the Walla Wallas and other tribes beginning on December 7, 1855, HistoryLink, April 20, 2008
- ^ Johnson, Randall A., May 17, 1858. The Ordeal of the Steptoe Command (HistoryLink.org essay No. 8123)
- ^ a b Keenan, Jerry. "Steptoe, Col. Edward Jenner." Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars 1492-1890 Santa Barbara, CA : ABC-CLIO, c1997 p. 223.
- ^ a b c Biography of Edward Steptoe (University of Utah — Utah History Encyclopedia)
External links
- Biography of Edward Steptoe (University of Utah — Utah History Encyclopedia)
- Johnson, Randall A., May 17, 1858. The Ordeal of the Steptoe Command (HistoryLink.org essay No. 8123)
- "Saturday is 150th anniversary of Battle of Steptoe" By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, AP Posted: 2008-05-17 17:35:15
- Edward Steptoe burial location via Findagrave.com
Categories:- American military personnel of the Mexican–American War
- Members of the Aztec Club of 1847
- United States Military Academy alumni
- American people of the Indian Wars
- 1815 births
- 1865 deaths
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