THE EXCEPTIONAL NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE 1793 AWARDED TO ROYAL MARINE ARTILLERY OFFICER, WHO AFTER SEEING EXTENSIVE SERVICE IN THE WEST INDIES AND SPAIN, WAS MENTIONED FOR HIS GALLANTRY DURING AN EXTREMELY BLOODY BOAT ACTION BEFORE SERVING WITH THE FIRST ROYAL MARINE BATTALION IN AMERICA IN 1813, SERVING IN THE CHESAPEAKE EXPEDITION UNDER SIR GEORGE COCKBURN, HE WAS ENGAGED IN THE ATTACK ON CRANEY ISLAND, THE SACKING OF HAMPTON AND THE BOAT ACTION OFF OCRACOKE. HE LATER COMMANDED THE ROCKET DETACHMENT AT THE CAPTURE OF OSWEGO UNDER SIR JAMES YEO, FOR WHICH HE WAS MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES AND TOOK PART IN THE CAMPAIGN ON THE NIAGARA FRONTIER, INCLUDING THE SIEGE OF FORT ERIE WHERE HE WAS ALMOST DAILY UNDER FIRE AT THE BATTERIES FOR SIX WEEK. COMMENDED BY LORD EXMOUTH’S FOR HIS SERVICE ABOARD HIS FLAG SHIP QUEEN CHARLOTTE AT THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS. HE LATER SERVED AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MARINE ARTILLERY LABORATORY FOR MANY YEARS, RETIRING AS MAJOR-GENERAL IN 1850

NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE 1793-1840, CLASP, ALGIERS ‘JOHN H. STEVENS, 1ST LIEUT. R.M.A.’

“Major-General John Harvey Stevens served in the West Indies, &c. in 1806 and 1807,during the expedition to Walcheren in 1809, and was engaged in several flotilla affairs on the Scheldt. Served also at the successful defence of Cadiz and of Tarifa in 1810 and 1811; was engaged in several detached operations, particularly in one of a severe character on the river Guadalquiver. In 1813 was employed on the coast of America, where he was engaged in an attack on Craney Island, and at the taking of Hampton and Ocracoke under Sir George Cockburn. Served in Canada at the taking of Oswego, on which occasion he was mentioned in Sir Gordon Drummond’s despatches. Engaged during a six weeks’ siege of Fort Erie, and was entrusted with the construction of a field-work for the defence of the right of the position on Chippewa Creek, which was menaced by a very superior force. In 1816 he was on board the Queen Charlotte at the attack on Algiers under Lord Exmouth by whom he was detached to fire carcases at the enemy’s vessels within the Mole. He was also present at the demonstrations before Algiers under Admiral Sir H. B. Neale. Has received the War Medal with one Clasp.”

John Harvey Stevens was born in 1790, youngest of three sons of Commander John Stevens, Royal Navy. His brothers Thomas and Cornelius served in the Royal Marines, both becoming captains, whilst Cornelius was killed in action during the battle of Navarino in 1827. John Harvey Stevens joined the Royal Marines as 2nd lieutenant on 28 September 1805; 1st lieutenant, 2 September 1809; captain, 14 April 1832; major, 9 November 1846; lieutenant-colonel, 17 August 1848; colonel, 28 November 1854; major-general, 20 June 1855.

General Stevens Record of service is exceptionally detailed. As well as listing his service with dates, he added a very long and detailed narrative of his service. Much of this forms the basis of the following with, Stevens words copied in Bold Italic…………….

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Condition GVF. Sold with copied research including Stevens exceptionally detailed record of service. An outstanding Royal Marine Artillery Officers medal.