Later on he went to Germany, and a letter from there to all his sisters conjointly, and dated Burgwedel, Jan. 29, 1840, has some amusing passages. He prefers this place to Hanover, which he designates " that dust hole," and is hugely delighted with some sledging parties which he joined: " about sixteen of us, all young, with a couple of married chaperones for propriety's sake, but including the two said ladies I don't suppose the oldest among us is twenty- six. We generally go to a little village about five miles off, where we drink coffee, and then amuse ourselves with playing round games, acting charades, etc." This simple form of dissipation over (to which he refers as being " thoroughly satiated with amusement " 1), they drive home, sometimes after dark, singing and laughing, and, " then oh 1 the best part comes. The gentlemen are entitled to what is called Sledge Fee, which consists in giving and receiving from all the ladies — a kiss. It is a charming custom, and I wish it were more universally adopted in England."
These may be thought trivialities hardly worth recording; but the boy was father to the man, and always Sir Frederick could enjoy simple amusements, and would see no harm in simple familiarities.
He kept up his knowledge of both the languages that he had learnt in his youth, but was never a fluent linguist.
In July 1837, when he was just sixteen years old, he was gazetted Ensign and Lieutenant of the Scots Fusilier Guards, the name of the Scots Guards at that date.
The Broad Arrow and Military Gazette of Dec. 26, 1 89 1, in a " Service Portrait " of Sir Frederick Stephenson, says that in 1845 he was appointed Adjutant of the first battalion of his regiment, and that " his commanding officer was the late Sir William Knollys,... between the two a great friendship and mutual respect existed, which lasted unimpaired till Sir William Knollys' death, nearly forty years later. * Ben ' Stephenson, as he was called, gradually gained ground in the estimation of his brother- officers. Owing to his devotion to his profession, his amiable disposition, his unruffled temper, and his sound judgment, he soon was regarded with positive affection, not only by the officers of his own, but also by those of the two other regiments of Guards.... When the Crimean War broke out he was at once appointed Brigade- Major to the Brigade of Guards sent out to the East."
Being a poor man and unable to purchase his steps, he was often passed over for promotion, and it was only after seventeen years' service that he got his company without purchase, and in 1854 was gazetted Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel.
To continue the quotation: —
" This promotion necessitated the surrender of his staff appointment, and he rejoined his battalion in command of the light — called the left flank — company, with which he was present at the Alma, at Inkerman, and the siege of Sebastopol. On the morning of the battle of Inkerman Lieutenant-Colonel Stephenson was with his company on picket; when the battle had raged some little time he was ordered to quit his post and join his battalion. Before he could do so, he saw, on entering the fighting area, a Russian battalion in column advancing. Without a moment's hesitation, Stephenson with his gallant Light Bobs ' went for ' this column, which, startled at the audacity of their foe, declined the encounter and executed a strategic movement to the rear.... For his services during the war with Russia he was mentioned in dispatches and received the following decorations: C.B. Crimean medal with four clasps, Turkish medal. Knight of Legion of Honour, and 4th Class of the Medjidieh."