Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-07
GENERAL n. P. CHAPMAN.
his SERVICES IN THE UNION ARMY
AND IN CONGRESS.
Promoted for Gallant Conduct at Fort
Donaldson-His Career in Washing
ton and in California.


prints the following from the illustrated
History of Tehama County, published in
1890:
Among the more recent acquisitions to
the citizens of Tehama county is the one
whose name heads this sketch OF his
history and experiences prior to his coming
among us, we find the following brief out
line in 0Barnes' American Government"
published 1875, work containing biog-
raphies of the Senators and members of
the Forty-third Congress and heads of
departments of General Government at
that time:
"Norton Parker Chapman was born in
Milford Center, Union county, Ohio, March
z, 1886. His father and mother were born
in Vermont, and on his fathers side he is
connected with one of the historic families
of that State. An immediate relative was
the author of work on Contracts ana
another on Government: members of the
family were also in the United States Sem
ate and House of Representatives from
that and other States. The family trace
their origin to England, and were among
the early settlers of New England. When
he was fourteen years of age he removed
Gated at Nauvoo the Mormon city, which
had Just been evacuated by its founders.
From here he removed TO Iowa, and after
temporary residence in Van Buren,, Davis
and Henry counties, he made his perma-
nent home in Washington county.
she early embraced Republican princi-
piles, and made his maiden speech in favor
of John G. Fremont for the Presidency
awhile attending Washington College,
at Washington, Ia, he became impatient
to begin active life, and left college and
entered the law school at Cincinnati, o.,
1867, where he graduated in April, 1858.
Returning to his home in Washington, Ia,
he commenced the practice of law with
Hon. Joseph r. Lewis, now Associate Jus
tice of the United States District Court for
Washington Territory.
"When President Lincoln called for vol
unteers for the suppression of the rebel
lion, Mr.. Chapman was one of the first to
enroll his name.
"His example was followed by some of
the most prominent and promising young
men of that part of the State A COM
pany was at once raised, which formed q
part of the Second Iowa Infantry, the first
three-year regiment enlisted. Mr.. Chip
man was elected Lieutenant of the COM
pany, and upon the organization of the
regiment was appointed Adjutant by the
Colonel, Hon. Samuel r. Curtis, then a
member of Congress. Soon after Colonel
Curtis was appointed Brigadier- Ge neral,
and Lieutenant Chapman, by the vote of
the officers, elected Major of the regiment
ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
"He was with his regiment during its
campaigns in Missouri, Tennessee and
Mississippi. He participated in the battle
of Fort Donelson, where his regiment led
the charge on the enemy's works, which
resulted in their capture. He was Sc
verely wounded while leading his men to
the charge, and shared with his comrades
the very high compliment paid them at
the time by General Halleck as being the
<bravest of the brave
HE returned to his regiment after the
battle of Shiloh, and participated in the
siege of Corinth, where he received the
appointment of Colonel and additional
aid-de-camp in the regular army on the
staff of Major-General Halleck, dating
back to the battle of Fort Donelson. He
was assigned by the War Department to
duty with General Curtis, then at Helena,
pun i6POItiilS Was APP
pointed chief of staff, and served in that
capacity during the period that General
Curtis commanded the Department of Ar
kansas and the Department Of Missouri
The State of Missouri as well as the Ter
ritories west and south of his command
was under martial Jaw, thus giving him
civil as well as military control In the
discharge of the delicate duties thus de-
volving upon him, he found a most valua-
bile assistant in his chief-of-staff.
"a rowing Court of Inquiry was sent out
into the Mississippi valley from Washing
ton, to inquire into the military manage
ment and into the conduct of individual
officers. This Court gathered up all the
gossip and scandal that was volunteered or
that could be procured, and without giving
officers accused an opportunity OF being
heard in defense, made report to the
President, which reflected upon the integ-
rity Of General Curtis administration
while at Helena, Ark. This, together
with the intrigues of Missouri politicians,
led to General Curtis being relieved from
his command. He obtained permission to
send Colonel Chapman to Washington to
examine the record of this Court of In
quiry, and to prepare a defense to any
charges that might be made in it,
Colonel Chapman went to Washington
in obedience to orders in September, 1868.
and obtained permission in President Lin
coins handwriting, to examine the record
of the Court of Inquiry and to submit any
evidence in defense Finding that this in
volved the work of several months, he ap-
piled for assignment to duty as Judge Ad-
vocate. He was Immediately detailed as
Judge Advocate of military commission.
and conducted very important trial of a
Maryland merchant for smuggling and for
communicating with the enemy contrary
to the laws of war.
"The trial was concluded about the time
he closed his defense Of General Curtis. and
resulted in the conviction of the smuggler
and The confiscation of large quantity OF
goods. Meanwhile he had secured over
whelming proofs of the innocence of Gen.
eral Curtis, and had presented them to the
President, who promptly vindicated the
injured officer by assigning him to the
new military department of Kansas, where
he remained until the close of the war.
Colonel Chapman then applied to the Sec
rotary of War to be relieved from duty as
Judge-Advocate, and to be allowed to re-
turn TO his old chief. The Secretary. how
ever, had discovered in him the material
which he thought more useful at the
National Headquarters than in remote
military district, and declined to relieve
him. He consented, however, to allow
him sixty days leave to return to the
West and assist General Curtis in the or
ganization of his new department. Attic
end of his time he returned to Washing
ton, where he remained in the service OF
the War Department until the close of the
war.
"His duties in the War Department
were varied and important He had the
confidence of the Secretary and President
lincoln and was ASSIGNED to the disch arre