Stephen Gardner Champlin Stephen Gardner Champlin ( July 1 , 1827 – January 24 , 1864 ) was an American physician , lawyer , soldier , and judge . He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War , rising to the rank of brigadier general before succumbing to wounds he received in combat . Early life . Champlin was born in Kingston , New York , a son of Jeffrey Clarke Champlin ( 1798 – 1872 ) and his wife Allis Ellen ( 1804 – 73 ) . He received his initial education at local public schools , and then he attended the academy at Rhinebeck in Dutchess County for a single term . In 1842 Champlin began studying medicine at Harperfield in Delaware County , and by 1845 a he had a medical practice located at Warwarsing in Ulster County . Champlin decided in 1848 to give up working as a physician , and by 1849 he was studying to become a lawyer . He attended the law school at Balston Spa for two terms , and in 1850 he continued his studies in Kingston , New York . Also that year Champlin was admitted to the New York state bar association , and in 1850 started a law practice in Albany , New York . On January 1 , 1851 , Champlin married Mary E . Smedes at the town of Wawarsing in Ulster County . The couple had at least one child together , a son named Alexander . During 1853 he relocated his family to Grand Rapids , Michigan . There Champlin created a law partnership with Lucius Patterson , and in 1856 he was elected a judge of the Recorder ’ s Court of Grand Rapids for two years service . He was also active in the Michigan state militia , and on April 22 he was elected a captain in the Grand Rapids Light Artillery ( “ Ringgolds ” Light Artillery . ) During 1857 he began a new law partnership , this time with Harry Yale . In February 1858 Champlin was elected a major of the Grand River Battalion . That fall he was elected the Prosecuting Attorney for Kent County . Civil War service . When the American Civil War began in 1861 , Champlin chose to follow the Union cause . On June 10 he entered the Union Army as a major in the 3rd Michigan Infantry . This regiment was organized at Grand Rapids to serve three years , and left the city on June 13 . Camplin was in command of a reconnaissance on August 30 near Bailey ' s Corners in Virginia . Afterwards he was highly praised for his performance in this minor action by the Union Army of the Potomac ' s commander , Maj . Gen . George B . McClellan . On September 5 , McClellan sent the 3rd Michigan an aide with the following message : " The general is much pleased with Major Champlin ' s dispositions on the occasion , which he deems eminently proper , and he desires you to convey his thanks to Major Champlin for the efficient manner in which this service was performed . " That fall Champlin was appointed commander of the 3rd Michigan , with the rank of colonel as of October 28 . Champlin participated during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign , and was wounded in his hip at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31 . Subsequently he was granted a 30 - day leave to mend . Champlin was commended for his actions during the battle by divisional commander Maj . Gen . Philip Kearny , shortly before the latter ' s own death in combat . Partially recovered , Champlin led his regiment during the Second Battle of Bull Run on August 28 – 30 , and was again injured during the battle ' s last day , re - opening his wound he received in May . During this second leave for recuperation , Champlin was promoted to brigadier general in the Union Army , to rank from November 29 , 1862 . While resting in Washington , D . C . , he wrote to Michigan Governor Austin Blair on January 3 , 1863 , formally resigning his command of the 3rd due to his promotion . In 1863 Champlin was appointed to command of the Draft Depot at Camp Cleveland , Ohio . However this order was revoked in late August , most likely due to his health condition . Instead , Champlin was assigned to the command of the Draft Depot near his home in Grand Rapids on September 22 . Champlin ' s hip wound still bothered him , and he reportedly resigned his commission in the Union Army on November 8 , 1863 . Champlin died in early 1864 at his home due to his wounds . His funeral was conducted at St . Mark ’ s Church in Grand Rapids on January 28 , and he was buried there in Fulton Street Cemetery . In his honor , Grand Army of the Republic Post # 29 in Grand Rapids was named for him .