Joseph Stewart (U.S. Army officer)

Joseph Stewart (born circa 1822, died April 9, 1904) was a career officer in the United States Army, serving primarily in the antebellum West and during the American Civil War.

Stewart entered the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated 29th out of a class of 49 in 1845. He was commissioned a brevet Second Lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Infantry. His early career was spent in frontier duty, primarily in the West, including assignments in Missouri, New Mexico, and California. He participated in the suppression of Indian disturbances and served in the Mexican-American War.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Stewart was a captain in the 3rd U.S. Infantry. He served throughout the war, primarily in administrative and staff positions. He was appointed a lieutenant colonel and served as Assistant Inspector General of the Department of the East, then as Assistant Inspector General of the Department of the Gulf. He was later brevetted to the rank of brigadier general in the Regular Army for his meritorious service during the war.

Following the Civil War, Stewart remained in the army. He continued to serve in the Inspector General's Department and was stationed at various locations. He eventually retired from the army with the rank of colonel in 1886. Joseph Stewart died in 1904 and is buried at West Point Cemetery.