Johann Baptist Stephan

Johann Baptist Ritter von Stephan (1808–1875), also known as Baptist von Stephan, was a Bavarian General of the Infantry who took part in the Austro-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War and became a known Bavarian military figure during the 19th century for his efforts.

Family He was the son of the geometer Johann Baptist Stephan and his wife Maria Anna, née Bauriedl. Stephan himself remained unmarried.

Military career Stephan joined the Bavarian Army on July 9, 1824, as a volunteer in the and was promoted to vice corporal on November 1, 1824, and to corporal on January 1, 1825. He was then appointed Junker in the on August 13, 1831, Stephan was promoted to second lieutenant in the 7th Infantry Regiment on June 27, 1832. He also received the Iron Cross, First Class, and the Grand Ducal Mecklenburg Military Merit Cross, First Class, during the campaign. At Villepon, on December 1, 1870, he was so badly wounded by a Chassepot bullet in the abdomen and by shrapnel in the chest that he had to relinquish command of the division and be taken back to Munich.

On April 11, 1873, his resignation was approved and he was posthumously given the rank of General of the Infantry because of his many years of loyal service.