A pre-Civil War Massachusetts Militia officer, Thomas was Major of the 4th Massachusetts Militia Infantry Battalion at the outbreak of the conflict. When it became apparent that the conflict would not be over quickly, he was detailed to raise a regiment, which became the 24th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (its core was the men from his old militia battalion). Commissioned as a Colonel and commander, he led his men in the 1862 operations in North Carolina. His unit participated in the capture of Roanoke Island and New Bern, and the lifting of the siege at Washington, North Carolina. Advanced to brigade commander, he led his new command in the operations against Kingston and Goldsboro. Promoted to Brigadier General, US Volunteers on December 24, 1862, his commission was not acted upon by Congress, and it expired by law. However, he was re-appointed Brigadier General, and in April 1863, it was duly confirmed. He directed his brigade (designated the Third Brigade, Terry's Corps) in the Union siege and attempt to invest Charleston, South Carolina (his men stood in reserve as the assaults on Battery Wagner were attempted and repulsed). His time in the swamplands of South Carolina brought him a severe case of malaria, which forced him to go on extended sick leave in the Winter of 1863 to 1864. When he recovered sufficiently to resume field command, he was given command of the First Division in Maj. General Ambrose Burnside's independent IX Corps, which was attached to the Army of the Potomac in the Spring of 1864. During the May 1864 operations against Confederate positions at Spotsylvania County House, Virginia, he had his division placed in entrenchments along the Ni River near the Gayle House. On the morning of May 10, while conferring with fellow officers, he was shot in the back of his head by a Confederate sharpshooter and instantly killed.

His standing portrait is featured in this image, which is mounted to common card with double gold bordering.  The bottom edge has been trimmed and the top left corner shows very minor rolling – otherwise, condition is good overall. The reverse is marked in pencil “Stephenson” and “Thomas Greely Stevenson / Col. 24^th Mass Inf / Brig Gen Dec 24, 1862 / KIA May 10, 1862 / by CSA sharpshooter @ Spottsylvania CH, VA”.  A photographer back mark reads “BLACK & CASE Photographic Artists 163 & 173 WASHINGTON St. BOSTON”.  The discolored outline of a once-affixed stamp is noted (stamp is not present).

Images of General Stevenson are not altogether common, making this a prime piece for the discerning collector.  [cm][ph:L]

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