STEVENS, Edward, soldier, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1745; died there, 17 August, 1820. He commanded a battalion of militia at the battle of Great Bridge, 9 December, 1775, and in 1776 was appointed colonel of the 10th Virginia regiment. Joining Washington's army in New Jersey in 1777, he checked the attack of General William Howe's forces at the battle of the Brandywine, and, by holding the road till nightfall, prevented a serious disaster. He served with credit at Germantown, and was made a brigadier-general. On 14 August, 1780, he joined the army of General Horatio Gates with 700 Virginia militia, and urged him to engage Lord Rawdon's force near Camden, believing that it was too late to retreat, or mistrusting the report of the approach of Lord Cornwallis. His brigade began the attack, but, being unfamiliar with the use of the bayonet, they gave way when the enemy charged. At Guilford Court-House they resisted the British attack with steadiness, although finally forced back. General Stevens, who was severely wounded, received the praise of General Nathanael Greene for his conduct in this action. He also served with credit at the siege of Yorktown. From the adoption of the state constitution till 1790 he sat in the Virginia senate.