(1811-90) Born in Charleston, S.C., he was appointed midshipman in April, 1828, and performed his first services in the West Indies and the Mediterranean Sea. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1841, and during the Mexican War was at Vera Cruz and Tampico, commanding the siege guns in the bombardment of Vera Cruz. He was promoted to commander in September 1855, and in 1859-60, he commanded the Dolphin in the Paraguay expedition and for a time had charge of the Brazilian squadron. When the Civil War broke out, Steedman although of Southern birth, remained loyal to the Union. He volunteered to Admiral Dupont for any service needed and rendered great and timely assistance in keeping open railroad communications between Washington and the North. He later served with the Mississippi squadron and then was assigned to the command of the Bienville of the North Atlantic squadron, and led the second column of Admiral Dupont's fleet in the attack and capture of Port Royal, S.C. Steedman aided in the capture of all the ports south of Savannah, and then, returning to the North, was, in the spring of 1862, transferred to the command of the Paul Jones. In August, 1862, he participated in the capture of Fort McAllister; on September 17th, he engaged the batteries at St. John's Bluff, Florida, and two weeks later, with the cooperation of land forces, forced their surrender. He was promoted to captain in September 1862, and was transferred to the Powhatan, which he served on for several months in the blockade of his hometown of Charleston. After towing the captured ram, Atlanta, to Philadelphia, in 1864, he took command of the Ticonderoga and pursued the Confederate cruiser Florida into Brazilian waters. Returning to the North Atlantic squadron, he saw action at both attacks on Fort Fisher, N.C., and then served for two years with the Mediterranean squadron. He was on special service in 1868, and from 1869 until 1872 he commanded the Boston Navy Yard. He was commissioned to rank of commodore in July 1866, and rear admiral, in May 1871.

Signature with branch of service: 4 1/2 x 1, in ink, Chas. Steedman, U.S. Navy.