Existing comment:
African American regiments had difficulty finding white officers to serve in their units, yet there was a core group of officers who willingly served with these regiments for the majority of their career. Stevens T. Norvell was such an officer.
Born in Michigan on February 14, 1835, he was one of five sons of Michigan Senator John Norvell, himself a native of Danville, Kentucky. In January of 1858, Stevens enlisted in the 5th US Infantry and was assigned to Company A. During the Civil War, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant with the 13th US Infantry Regiment. President Abraham Lincoln signed his commission.
In 1871, he transferred to the Cavalry branch, joined the 10th US Cavalry Regiment as commander of Company M. During his tenure with the 10th Cavalry, he spend [sic] years leading his company against the Indian threat in the southwest, participating in several actions before finally being promoted to major in March of 1890.
With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, the 10th Cavalry was deployed to Cuba where, as commander of the 1st Squadron of the 10th Cavalry,. Major Norvell lead [sic] his four companies of African American cavalrymen up San Juan Hill, where he earned a commendation. He was 64 years old at the time. After this historic battle for San Juan Hill, Lieutenant Colonel Norvell was placed in command of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. |