I found this stone in the East Side Cemetery in Dodgeville, Wisconsin and while it caught my eye, it wasn’t until I started researching this man that I was really, really glad that I had taken the photo.
The stone says he died on July 22,1871, Aged 56 years, 2 months and 19 days. The epitaph is hard to read (which makes me think that perhaps doing rubbings on stones is something I’m going to try once in a while). But who was Colonel Thomas Stephens?
This is from the Wisconsin Historical Society, which notes, “Quarter-length oval portrait of Colonel Thomas Stephens. He was born in Devonshire, England, in May of 1815. Stephens emigrated to Wisconsin in 1836, and declared his intention to become a citizen in 1839.”
Thanks to Google Books, more information shows up in “Wisconsin at Vicksburg: report of the Wisconsin-Vicksburg Monument ..” which lists Colonel Thomas Stephens as a Commander of the Second Cavalry. In regards to the Second Cavalry, I found this in “Wisconsin in Three Centuries: 1634-1905”: “The Second Cavalry was assembled at Camp Washbum, Milwaukee, but was not fully organized and mustered until March 12th, 1862, and on the 24th of that month it left for St. Louis. Its first officers were: Colonel, Cadawallader C. Washburn; Lieutenant Colonel, Thomas Stephens …”
A book called “Wisconsin in the War of the Rebellion” has a whole chapter about the Second Cavalry, and says: “The lieutenant colonel, Thomas Stephens, of Dodgeville, formerly Inspector General of Wisconsin, was a native of England, where he served two years as body-guard to Queen Victoria, and is an accomplished swordsman.”
This is just a small bit of the information that exists about this man, and admittedly, I’m curious enough to look for more.
Marble Towns 
Have you had any luck finding more information? Am told that is my husband’s great great grandfather and our daughter is quite curious to learn more.
Hi Sara,
I have not had a lot of time lately to do more research —- so if your daughter is looking for information, I’d direct her to the Wisconsin Historical Society, to see if they can help her find any more information. Also, the Dodgeville, WI Public Library should be able to help — try this link for more info: http://dodgevillelibrary.com/genealogyandhistory.html
Thanks for your reply. I will direct my daughter to that page. Merry Christmas!
I can help a little if you see this after all this time. My great-great grandfather was Thomas’ younger brother James Stephens. My mother’s cousin was a historian who got together some information that includes some of Thomas’ story.
The family was from Devonshire (Tavistock), but they were Welsh, not English. As a young man he served in the British army in the Queen’s Life Guards where he became an expert swordsman. Military life did not come as a novelty when the civil war started. He left the army for America around 1840, eventually bringing over his parents and brothers. He tried to make a living in Philadelphia teaching fencing, but ended up like so many Welsh immigrants in those working in the mines. The Stephens family was attracted to Dodgeville by lead mining activity in that region and settled there. Each of the brothers tried California at some point in the 1850s, but they all returned to Wisconsin except Elijah who took a ship to Chile and was never heard from again.
At the time of the civil war Thomas helped organize the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry and went to war as its lieutenant colonel. He took command when Colonel Washburn was promoted and led the unit through the Vicksburg campaign and its aftermath. The name Thomas Stephens is prominent on the front of the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry monument at Vicksburg.
While back in Wisconsin in 1864 charges were brought against him and he was dismissed from the army. He fought that and was reinstated. His army records are entirely vague as what that was about, (A court martial concluded that no one remembered what the charges had been. Really? There is a story there, but I don’t know it.)
He visited England after the war, but never recovered his health.
Also it should be noted that Thomas Stephens came away from his time in the British army with a lifelong hatred for the British aristocracy. This was a major element of his world view which was still vivid for his relatives a hundred years later when I was a child.
Wow, Fred — thank you!!! I have been lax lately in updating my blog, so it was great to see your comments here. Thanks for the information on Thomas Stephens!
I have about 10 typed pages of detail on Thomas Stephens that I would be happy to share with anyone who is interested. By the way, one other thing I should say: What a great photograph! Makes me want to go to Dodgeville to spend some time there and see for myself. Why my ancestors would leave such a place for South Dakota is beyond me.
i guess it’s the background photo at the top of the page that I like, not so much the actual tombstone.
Hi Fred — and thanks again for stopping by! I think it’s great that you have so much information on Thomas Stephens, and I appreciate your sharing some of it here on my blog. 🙂
I know this is a older thread but I hope it reaches you. I have just purchased Col Thomas Stephens civil war presentation sword, which is pictured in Steel canvas page 344 and civil war army swords page 508.
After the war Col Stephens made a visit to his relatives in England. The American embassy arranged for him to review his old regiment (where he had been a private) in the full regalia of his American colonel’s uniform. I don’t know the circumstances of the presentation sword, but I like to think that your sword may have been part of that bit of personal triumph. Enjoy it.
Alan:
I found your thread of May 9, 2016, please contact me as I am looking for Col Thomas Stephens’ presentation sword to exam; that is, to do a sword study for Maj Larry Brink’s book. I am doing research for my Major Larry Brink US Army Res. He studies, teaches, and lectures on Col Thomas Stephens’ swordsmanship and is writing a book in which Col Thomas Stephens is featured with his own chapter. Of course, your privacy will be respected and sword attributed to you. We will be contributors to Dodgeville WI History Days in July 2024 where we will be featuring Col Stephens sword exercise, history, and his historical home in Walnut St.
Best regards,
Bob Rank
Tampa, FL
robertjrank@gmail.com
Hi Fred. Am totally in awe of the dialogue this has inspired. I will be sharing this with my husband and daughter for sure. I would love to see those 10 pages of info on Thomas Stephens. Could you send me an email address where I can reach you?
Alan G. do you have a photo of your purchase? Would love to see it? How did you come upon it? Would love to hear that story.
Email me at lidagang2@yahoo.com and I will send you what I have scanned to PDF.
I have pictures but i’m bad with computers if you give me a email address I’ll send you some to post here. the sword presentation reads “Presented to Col. Thos. Stephens 2nd Wis CAV by the officers and men of the regt as a token of their regard May 13 1865” The sword also had a gold gilt case with silk sash and belt but that was lost by the previous owner. The sword is a lady liberty statue hilt one of the most ornate swords ever made…His regt must of cared a great deal
Hi Alan. You can email me at saravlahovic@uwalumni.com. Thanks!
Sara:
As I am also looking for lost images and documents which shed light on Wisconsin 2nd Cavalry’s history in general and Col Thomas Stephens and his contributions specifically. Would you be willing to share any of your photos, objects, or documents pertaining to Col Thomas Stephens with us? I am doing research for my Major Larry Brink US Army Res. He studies, teaches, and lectures on Col Thomas Stephens’ swordsmanship and is writing a book in which Col Thomas Stephens is featured with his own chapter. Of course, any photos and new information, objects, etc that you would be willing to provide will be attributed to you. We will be contributors to Dodgeville WI History Days in July 2024 where we will be featuring Col Stephens sword exercise, history, and his historical home in Walnut St.
Best regards,
Bob Rank
Tampa, FL
robertjrank@gmail.com
I would like to see the Col Thomas Stephens photos that you have. My Major Larry Brink US Army Res teaches Thomas Stephens Swordsmanship and is writing a book in which Thomas Stephens is a capture. We will be in Dodgeville WI for their History Days where we will be featuring Col Stephens sword exercise, history, and his home in Walnut St.
Thank you so much,
Bob Rank
Tampa, FL
robertjrank@gmail.com
Hello. Robert Rank just shared this site with me.
I serve on the board of the Iowa County Historical Society(ICHS) and on Dodgeville Historic Preservation Commission(HPC). We will be hosting a Local History Day here in Dodgeville on July 19, 2024 from 9-6. Our focus this year is Colonel Thomas Stephens. Major Larry Brink will share his knowledge of Col Stephens related to his expert swordsmanship. Col Stephens home will be a featured historic building on a walking tour. We would be interested in any information you have and would be willing to share what information we have.
Roxanne Reynolds-Lair
Dodgeville, WI
I also have information on another interesting person from Dodgeville – Thomas Bolton Shaunce who built the shot tower at Tower Hill State Park. He was our focus on last years Local History Day. Shaunce also was a participant in the Last Duel in Dodgeville.
Hi Roxanne! I just emailed you directly — thank you for your comment! I am happy to help with research, but I didn’t have any extra info on Colonel Stephens. However —- some other people who commented on this post do seem to, so maybe they can help. 🙂
Hello,
I own the 1861 Stephens book, it has “From your friend (Mrs.?) S J Osborne Daughter of Col. Stephens Mar 7 1911 (year is hard to read) Dodgeville Wi” written on the inside. Is anyone interested in this book?
Hello happyflowermom3:
My name is Bob Rank and I help teach the saber techniques of Col Thomas Stephens here in New Port Richey, FL. I would like to obtain the 1861 copy of Col Thomas Stephens fencing manual to include in our club’s research/collection. Our Historical Fencing Club, “Society of American Military Swordsmanship” (a HEMA club) will be demonstrating Col Thomas Stephens’ swordsmanship techniques during Dodgeville’s, WI History Days celebration in July 2024.
Best wishes,
Bob Rank
robertjrank@gmail.com