stedman was elected a democrat to the united states house of representatives in 1910 and was reelected to the seat in 1912, 1914, 1916, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1924, 1926 and 1928, serving until his death in washington, d.c. on september 23, 1930, the last veteran of the civil war, either union or confederate army, to serve in the u.s. congress. he was interred in cross creek cemetery in fayetteville, north carolina. a commemorative roadside sign was placed in fayetteville in his honor.