Hazard Stevens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hazard Stevens
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Hazard Stevens after the American Civil War
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| Born | June 9, 1842 Newport, Rhode Island |
| Died | October 11, 1918 (aged 76) Goldendale, Washington |
| Place of burial |
Island Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Major Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | 79th New York Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Federal revenue collector, attorney, politician |
Hazard Stevens (born June 9, 1842 – died October 11, 1918) was an American soldier, mountain climber, and writer. He was also involved in politics. He earned the Medal of Honor, which is a very special award for bravery, during the American Civil War. He received it for his actions at the Battle of Fort Huger. Stevens is also famous for being one of the first two people to successfully climb Mount Rainier in Washington state. He achieved this amazing feat on August 17, 1870, with his friend Philemon Beecher Van Trump.
Contents
Growing Up and Fighting in the Civil War
Hazard Stevens was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 9, 1842. His father, Isaac I. Stevens, became the first governor of the new Washington Territory in 1854. Because of this, Hazard and his family moved all the way to Olympia, Washington.
When the American Civil War began, both Hazard and his father joined the Union Army. They served together in the 79th New York Volunteer Infantry regiment. Hazard Stevens became a major, which is a high rank in the army.
During the Battle of Chantilly on September 1, 1862, Hazard was hurt. Sadly, his father, who was a general by then, was killed in the same battle.
Hazard Stevens showed great courage during the war. On April 19, 1863, he helped capture Fort Huger in Virginia. For his bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 13, 1894. This is the highest military award for bravery in the United States. Stevens left the army on September 19, 1865. Later, he was given the honorary rank of brigadier general by President Andrew Johnson.
Climbing Mount Rainier and Life After the War
After the Civil War, Stevens went back to Washington state to take care of his mother. He first worked for a shipping company. Then, in 1868, he became a federal revenue collector. This meant he helped the government collect taxes.
Around this time, he met Philemon Beecher Van Trump. Van Trump was working for the governor of the territory. Both men shared a big dream: to climb Mount Rainier, a huge volcano in Washington. On August 17, 1870, they made history by becoming the first people to successfully reach the top of Mount Rainier.
To remember their amazing climb, a special monument called the Stevens Van Trump Historic Monument was built. It is located along the Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. There are also places named after him, like Stevens Peak, Stevens Canyon, and Stevens Ridge.
In 1871, Stevens became a lawyer. He worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, helping them with legal cases, like stopping people from illegally cutting down trees. In 1874, President Ulysses S. Grant asked Stevens to investigate land claims in the San Juan Islands.
Later Years and Other Achievements
In 1874, Hazard Stevens moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts, near Boston. He became involved in politics there. In 1885, he was elected to the Massachusetts state legislature. He worked to make positive changes. He successfully helped save Boston's Old State House, an important historical building. He also tried to be elected to the United States Congress, but he was not successful.
Stevens climbed Mount Rainier a second time in 1905. This trip was organized by The Mazamas, a climbing club from Oregon.
In 1916, Stevens started the Cloverfields Dairy Farm in Olympia, Washington. Today, this former farm is a historic site and is where Olympia High School now stands.
Later in his life, Hazard Stevens wrote a book about his father called "The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens." He also wrote many articles about the Civil War. In 1918, when he was not well, he attended a ceremony to honor a government agent named Andrew Bolon. The next day, he had a stroke. Hazard Stevens passed away shortly after, on October 11, 1918. He is buried in Newport, Rhode Island.
Images for kids
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Hazard Stevens after the American Civil War
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Hazard Stevens during his second ascent of Mount Rainier in 1905.
