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Brigadier-General Walter Husted Stevens, whose Confederate service was rendered in
Virginia, was born at
Penn Yan, N. Y., August 24, 1827.
He was appointed from New York to the United States military academy, where he was graduated fourth in the class of 1848, and promoted in the army to brevet second lieutenant, corps of engineers.
After a short service at
Newport harbor,
R. I., he was assigned to the repair of fortifications, defending the approaches to New Orleans until 1853, when he was put in charge of the survey of the rivers and harbors of
Texas.
From 1853 to 1857 he served as lighthouse inspector on the coast of
Texas, with the rank of second lieutenant until 1855, when he was promoted first lieutenant.
He was superintending engineer of the construction and repair of fortifications below New Orleans, 1854-60, superintended the construction of the custom house and the fortifications at
Galveston, and was a member of the special board of engineers for
Gulf defenses.
Entering the service of the
Confederate States in May, 1861, he accompanied
General Beauregard to
Virginia, as a member of his staff, and with the rank of captain, corps of engineers.
He served with the advance forces at Fairfax Court House for sometime before the
battle of Manassas, and laid out the works there in an admirable manner,
General Beauregard reporting that he had ‘shown himself to be an officer of energy and ability.’
General Bonham commended him for his indefatigable labors, and constant attention to execution of orders, in camp and field, and
Gen. J. E. Johnston especially mentioned his valuable services during the battle of July 21st.
He was promoted major, and appointed chief engineer of the army of Northern Virginia, under
Johnston, and was commended for his skillful and devoted services both in his own profession and as a member of the
general staff at
Seven Pines.
After
General Lee came into command of the army, he was succeeded by
Colonel Gilmer, and with promotion to colonel was given charge of the defensive works around
Richmond.
In command of the troops and defenses of
Richmond in 1863-64, he participated in the operations against
Kilpatrick's and
Dahlgren's raid, and rendered valuable assistance to
General Beauregard when the city was threatened by
Butler.
In August, 1864, he was
