Thomas Holdup Stevens Jr. (27 May 1819 – 15 May 1896) was an admiral of the United States Navy who fought in the American Civil War. Early life and commission Stevens, the son of Captain Thomas Holdup Stevens (1795–1841) was born in Middletown, Connecticut, on 27 May 1819. He was appointed acting midshipman on 14 December 1836 and, after two years at sea in , was warranted midshipman. After three months leave, from April to June 1840, he served at the Depot of Charts and Instruments. Following a tour at the Washington Navy Yard and coast survey duty at New York, he attended the Naval School at Philadelphia, stood his examination on 2 June 1842, and was warranted a passed midshipman on 2 July. Between 1842 and 1855, Stevens served at various posts ashore, among which were two tours on coast survey duty, one tour as acting master of during her construction and 30 months as storekeeper in Honolulu, Hawaii. In September 1855, Lt. Stevens was dropped from the Navy under an Act of 28 February 1855. American Civil War On 29 January 1858, he was recommissioned a lieutenant. From then until the outbreak of the Civil War, Stevens served with the Home Squadron, principally in , , and Michigan. On 4 September 1861, he assumed command of . In November, he fought at Port Royal, South Carolina and helped capture Forts Beauregard and Walker. Between New Year's Day and 4 March 1862, he blockaded the coast of Florida and helped to capture Fort Clinch, and the towns of Fernandina and St. Mary's. He also commanded the first expedition up the St. Johns River in March and April. Late in April, he transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and to the command of . He commanded her in operations supporting General George McClellan's advance during the Peninsula Campaign in May 1862. On 15 July, he was promoted to commander and, from 9 May to 6 September, commanded . He was ordered to the command of on 12 September and led her on to capture five Confederate ships and, in a 34-hour chase, privateer Florida. On 18 June 1863, Commander Stevens was detached from Sonoma at New York and, on 3 August, he was directed to report to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren, the squadron commander, placed Stevens in command of the ironclad and, between