Representing: Union
4th NEW YORK PROVISIONAL VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: 7/21/65
Mustered Out: 11/29/65 City Point, VA
1st NEW YORK VOLUNTEER MOUNTED RIFLES
Organized: 8/1/61 New York City & Newburgh, NY
Mustered In: 7/30/61 - 9/62 New York City, NY, Fortress Monroe, VA & Newburgh, NY
Mustered Out: 7/21/65
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (1st)
This three year "eastern theatre" regiment was recruited throughout the State of New York and mustered in by companies at several locations over a 14 month period. The 1st served primarily in the Virginia locales of Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth and Yorktown. Although it took part in many battles, it sustained no heavy losses except at the 5/63 action at Scott's Mills where 28 were killed, wounded and missing.
In January, 1864 the regiment was engaged at New Kent Court House and Bottom's Bridge around Richmond/Petersburg. During the siege of those cites the unit was often in action, but suffered no substantial losses, total casualties amounting to 43 killed, wounded and missing. It saw its last fighting at Murfree's Depot, Somerton and Jackson in North Carolina. The final pages in the history of the regiment were written under the designation 4th NY Provisional Cavalry.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY: (4th)
With The Rebellion ended, under 5/8/65 special orders of the War Department this organization as formed by the consolidation of the 1st NY Mounted Rifles and the 3rd New York Cavalry. Consolidation took place between 7/21 and 9/6/65. Units from the from the 1st became companies A,C,D,E,K and M, while those from the 3rd were designated B,F, H, I and L. The 4th did not participate in combat, but did suffer the loss of ten enlisted men from disease and other causes
SOLDIER:
Residence: Springfield, NY Age: 22 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/5/62 Springfield, NY Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 8/23/62
Transferred Out: 6/5/65 to 4th NY Prov. Cav.
Transferred In: 6/6/65 from 1st NY Mtd. Rifles
Mustered Out: 11/29/65 City Point, VA
Highest Rank: Pvt.
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
John Chapman was born in New York State during the month of June, 1840 to Randal (b. 1814, NY) and Eunice (b. 1810 No nee, NY) Chapman. His exact birth date is not known. He had at least two siblings: Emeline (b. 1836 NY) and Evander M. (b. 1842/43, NY). The Chapman’s were a farm family. Although not a lot of details are available pertaining to his youthful years, it is known that his paternal grandparents (Zenas - b. 1770 CT and Penelope - b. 1878 RI) lived in the household when the 1850 U.S. Census was taken. At that time the Chapman’s were residing in Ostego, Ostego Co., NY.
By 1860 the Chapman’s had removed to Springfield, Livingston Co., NY. Noted in the home at that time were Randal, John and Evander. It was in Springfield, two years later, that John enlisted in the cavalry.
Over the next three years available records show him absent from his unit "on scout", on detached service and, on one occasion, sick in quarters. In all, trooper Chapman's military tenure was very benign.
At some point after leaving the military farmer Chapman moved from New York to Michigan. Exactly when is not noted in available documents, but it was in McComb, McComb Co., MI on 3/2/67 that he married Hannah/Hanna M. Van Horn (b. ca. 1849). The couple would produce six children: Eunice M. (b. 5/14 or 24/69), Bartlett M. (3/23/72), Leona L. (b. 5/21/74), Timothy R. (b. 2/21/79), Hazel (b. 9/20/84), and Clare (b. 10/31/87). All were born in Michigan.
According to census data, the Chapman’s remained in Michigan for over thirty years. They lived in at least three locations: Ray, Malcolm Co. (1870, NewHaven, Shiawassee Co., (1880) and Sage, Gladwin Co. (1900). While no census is available for 1890, that same year, while in Sage, former trooper Chapman applied for a U.S. government disability pension based on his Civil War soldiering indicating that he was no longer able to perform manual labor because of a hip injury he had suffered while returning home from the army. Although no dollar amount is available, a pension stipend was apparently granted.
Exactly when the Chapman’s migrated westward to the Puget Sound area of western Washington State is not known. Likely, however, the why was the lure of fertile Snohomish River Valley farmland and adult children living in the area.
John Chapman, farmer and one time Civil War cavalryman, died 2/18/07 in Lowell, WA outside Everett. He was approximately 66.8 years of age. Cause of death was listed as sudden heart failure, with age a contributing factor. Notification of the passing was from son Timothy. Burial was in Everett’s Evergreen Cemetery.
Hannah/Hanna's whereabouts are not documented for the next thirteen years, but the 1920 census noted her living with son Timothy and his family in Lowell. She died there on 4/9/28. At the time of her death she was receiving a $20 per month government stipend based on her late husband's Civil War service. She is buried beside John.
Buried at Evergreen Cemetery Everett
Row: 15
Site: 99
Roberta Yates
Renton, WA
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