Isaac Stevens was a descendant of two 17th Century
Puritan immigrants. His ancestors were farmers, military men, and community
leaders in the Andover area of Maine. His parents were Isaac & Hannah
(Cummings) Stevens, who were also strong supporters of Andrew Jackson and
the Democratic Party. Isaac was their third child, but first son, and was
born with some physical impairments that today would be associated with a
problematic pituitary gland. Whatever the physical impairments, Isaac was
a child prodigy when it came to mathematics. In March of 1835, at the age
of 16, Isaac was admitted to West Point and graduated first in his class.
He received a lieutenants commission in "Totten's Engineer Corps".
While stationed in Newport, RI, he met and married on 8 Sep 1841, Margaret
"Meg" Cyman Hazard. While at Newport, Isaac was responsible for
rebuilding New England's coastal forts.
In
1846, he received orders to accompany the Engineer Corps to Mexico. During
the war, he shared quarters with Robert E. Lee, and was wounded at Chapultepec.
For his actions at Chapultepec, he was promoted to brevet Major. Shortly after
the war he transferred to a position with the U.S. Coastal Survey, and was
extremely interested in the Pacific Northwest. While the survey of the Pacific
Northwest proved important to light house placement, a secondary "by-product"
was the collection of scientific data. 1852 saw the stellar rise of Isaac's
political career when he campaigned for Franklin Pierce. This proved to be
a pivotal career role, Pierce was being opposed by General Scott - commander
of the U.S. armies in Mexico. To the Pierce camp, Stevens was a critical team
member, and served as a stump speaker, as well as the candidate's military
advisor. With Pierce's win, Stevens would be able to receive a relatively
plush political appointment -- he choose the Territorial Governorship of Washington
Territory. On 17 Mar 1853, Isaac Stevens became the first Territorial governor
of our state.
He
also received from Sec. of War Jefferson Davis an appointment to survey the
area between the 47-49 parallel for the Trans-Continental Railroad. The purpose
of the survey was to determine the best location to lay a railroad track to
the Pacific. Unfortunately, the report was put aside due to the decisiveness
of the issue. As part of the appointment, Isaac Stevens was in charge of George
McClellan. On 25 Nov 1853, Gov. Isaac Stevens arrived in Olympia. A somewhat
make-shift reception was held by the other members of the Territorial Government.
Almost instantly upon arrival, Gov. Stevens worked to improve services, such
as postal services, roads and the establishment of a Territorial Library.
In addition, he began negotiating treaties with the various Indian tribes.
In roughly two years, Gov. Stevens negotiated treaties with the Nisqually,
Puyallup, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Lummi, Duwammish, S'klallam, Skokomish, Chimakum,
Makah, Ozette, Quillayute, Quinault, Palouse, Klickitat, Walla Walla, Umatilla,
Spokane, Cayuse, Flathead, Upper Pend d'Oreille, Kutenai, Blackfoot, Cree,
Nez Pierce, and Piegan - just to name a few. It is important to realize that
many of these treaties, all of which were ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1859,
have remained in place for over 140 years.
The
Governor was also quick to respond the Indian War of 1855-56. This war broke
out with the U.S. troops, Oregon militia and bands of the Yakima, Cayuse and
Walla Walla Nation. By the end of 1855, the hostilities were being engaged
on both sides of the Cascades. In the early part of 1856, the Nisqually Nation
succumbed to the influence of the Yakima Nation and attacked Seattle. The
ten hour skirmish proved to be fruitless for the bands, and they retreated
to the Duwamish Valley. The Governor responded by organizing home guards,
ordered the construction of block houses, and began the planning of a military
campaign. In the Spring of 1856, Stevens declared martial law in Pierce and
Thurston counties - a decision that had legal and political ramifications.
Gov. Stevens assumed that he had the powers, as the Territorial Executive,
to make such a declaration. However, only the legislative bodies had the power
to do so. Subsequent arrests for violation of the order were also poorly handled.
The defendants were first charged under civil courts, yet, the Governor then
moved the charges before a military tribunal. A political battle between the
Governor and the Judiciary followed. When the judge would not hear the case,
he was arrested, and the legal community responded with outrage. Eventually,
the Governor blinked, and had to take solace in the 1857 populace vote that
supported his decision.
In 1857, Gov. Stevens was elected as the Territorial Representative
to Congress. In this capacity, Stevens attempted to secure funds for road
construction, and advocated the settlement of the Territory. In 1859, he campaigned
for and was re-elected to Congress. Stevens found himself watching in dismay
as the Democratic party split over the issue of slavery during the National
Convention. Stevens joined the non-Douglas delegates in forming Democratic
National Party, and holding a competing convention to the Democratic Party's
convention. Stevens became a leading advocate for the new party's presidential
ticket of Breckinridge and Lane. This effort would ultimately cost Stevens
his , as members of the Democratic Party back home lost contact with "their
man in Washington."
When
the Union forces were defeated at the First Battle of Bull Run, Stevens offered
his services to the Union. However, due to his political activities, there
was little excitement within Sec. of War Cameron's offices for making a general
of Stevens. However, the realization by the Union command that the Civil War
was not going to end in just one battle resulted in a change of fortune. Stevens
was made a Colonel commanding the 79th New York
Volunteers - also known as "the Highlanders" due to the large
number of Scotsmen in the regiment. Assumption of command quickly brought
a crisis to Col. Stevens - mutiny within the regiment due to a rumor that
no leave would be granted to the troops. The mutiny broke out as situations
between the old command and Stevens came to a head, federal assistance was
required to end the revolt.
Soon,
Col. Stevens ability to lead was recognized and he was given command of a
brigade in General Smith's Division. Soon he was transferred to command of
the Second Brigade of the Expeditionary Corps, responsible for leading a joint
army-navy attack on the Sea Islands off South Carolina's coast. One of the
most bitter moments of Stevens command came at Secessionville, a battle that
was suppose to be the attempt to secure Charleston. Secessionville (Fort Lamar
to the Confederacy) was a fortification on James Island. Stevens was ordered
to lead an assault on the fortifications. In the attack, Stevens lost 25%
of his division, including men of the 79th Highlanders. While Stevens took
pride in the actions of his Highlanders, he found himself being fingered by
his commander, Gen. Henry Benham, for the failed assault. However, Washington
paid little attention to Benham's complaints, and he was removed from command
in August.
In
July, Steven's divisions were ordered to join the 9th Corps of the Army of
Potomac in Virginia. In August, Stevens division was ordered by General Pope
to Cedar Mountain. On 24 August, the General's troops were involved in a skirmish
at Sulphur Springs, and at a major engagement broke out between Generals Pope
and Jackson. Pope lost the conflict near Bull Run, and during the retreat
came in contact with Jackson's advancing forces. General Stevens, leading
his troops in a charge near the Bull Run railroad cut, yelled to his men:
"Highlanders, my Highlanders, follow your general!" With the regimental
colors in hand, General Stevens lead his men in forcing the Confederates from
the field. During the charge, a bullet struck the General in the head, killing
him instantly. A leader and advocate for the Northwest died at the Battle
of Chantilly. Stevens son, USA Gen. Hazard Stevens, was twice injured
at Ox Hill.
