Career
Stedman was commissioned into the Bengal Staff Corps in 1860. By 1887 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 3 Gorkha Rifles and was strongly commended for his leadership in Upper Burma by Major-General Sir George Stuart White, Commanding the Upper Burma Field Force. Later that year Stedman was made Inspector-General of Police in Upper Burma.
He joined the Chitral Expedition in 1895 as Second-in-command and General of Communications.
He was appointed Military Secretary to the India Office in 1899.