1. Enoch Steen was a United States military officer and western explorer.
40 Facts About Enoch Steen
1. 2.
Enoch Steen joined the United States Army in 1832, serving at posts throughout the United States, including many remote locations in the west.
3.
Enoch Steen served as the commander of several Union Army forts during the American Civil War.
4.
Enoch Steen was born on 22 February 1800 in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
5.
Enoch Steen's parents were Frederick Steen and Katherine Rector Steen.
6.
Enoch Steen's family moved to Missouri when he was young.
7.
Enoch Steen transferred to the United States Army's 1st United States Dragoons as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1833.
8.
Enoch Steen was one of the initial cadre of officers to stand-up this historic cavalry unit.
9.
Later that year, Steen joined Colonel Stephen W Kearny on an expedition along the Platte and then east to the Missouri River, meeting with Potawatomi Indians at Council Bluffs before returning to Fort Leavenworth.
10.
Enoch Steen was promoted to first lieutenant on 5 March 1836 and then captain on 31 December 1840.
11.
Enoch Steen departed San Antonio, Texas on 29 September 1846, leading two companies of dragoons assigned to escort General John E Wool and his staff to the front in Mexico.
12.
Enoch Steen's attack broke and dispersed the Mexican lancer formation, saving the Army's supplies.
13.
Enoch Steen was severely wounded during the battle, earning a brevet promotion to major for personal gallantry and meritorious conduct.
14.
In June 1850, Enoch Steen led an expedition through the Organ Mountains, around the southern edge of the White Sands desert area and into Mescalero Apache country when he ran into a superior Indian force, and he withdrew to Dona Ana.
15.
However, before taking command, Enoch Steen was sent back east to lead 183 Army recruits to New Mexico for duty.
16.
Enoch Steen finally took command of Fort Webster on 7 April 1853.
17.
In May 1853, Enoch Steen escorted William Carr Lane from Fort Webster to the Gila River.
18.
Enoch Steen was promoted to the permanent grade of major on 15 July 1853.
19.
In 1856, Enoch Steen negotiated an agreement with Cochise, chief of the Chiricahua Apaches, allowing settlers to cross Apache land while traveling to California.
20.
In 1857, Enoch Steen helped establish Camp Moore near present-day Rio Rico, Arizona.
21.
In 1858, Enoch Steen established Fort Buchanan in the newly acquired Gadsden Purchase, and became the post's first commander.
22.
Enoch Steen hoped the outpost would deter Chiricahua Apache raids in the Sonoita Valley area.
23.
Enoch Steen then led six companies of cavalry into Utah as the Mormon War was coming to a close.
24.
Enoch Steen's party followed the Walla Walla road to the mouth of the Deschutes River.
25.
Enoch Steen then turned south passing through the Ochoco highlands and the Trout Creek area before exploring the upper Deschutes River country.
26.
Near Pilot Butte, Enoch Steen turned east toward Harney Lake conducting road survey work along the way.
27.
Enoch Steen immediately abandoned his survey work and proceeded to the Harney Lake where he joined Smith and his party.
28.
In late 1860, Enoch Steen was given command of Fort Walla Walla in the Washington Territory.
29.
Enoch Steen remained there until the outbreak of the American Civil War.
30.
On 3 August 1861, Enoch Steen was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Regiment and ordered to return to the east coast.
31.
Enoch Steen remained there until June 1862, when he was sent to Fort Craig in the New Mexico Territory.
32.
Enoch Steen was killed on 7 December 1862 at the Battle of Prairie Grove in Arkansas.
33.
In March 1863, Enoch Steen was reassigned to Benton Barracks in Missouri.
34.
However, Enoch Steen continued to serve on active duty in various capacities.
35.
In 1866, Enoch Steen was sent to the Colorado Territory to command Fort Lyon.
36.
When Congress passed a law prohibiting retired officers from serving on active duty, Enoch Steen left the Army.
37.
Enoch Steen settled on a farm in Jackson County, Missouri.
38.
Enoch Steen died at his Jackson County home on 22 January 1880.
39.
Enoch Steen is buried at Mount St Mary's Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
40.
Enoch Steen played an important part in the history of the western United States, leading military expeditions through large areas of the west.