Edward Payson Chapin Edward Payson Chapin ( August 16 , 1831 – May 27 , 1863 ) was an American lawyer and soldier . He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War , and was wounded twice , both times occurring on May 27 . Chapin was killed in action fighting in Louisiana , and after his death was promoted to brigadier general . Early life and career . Edward P . Chapin was born in 1831 in Waterloo , a village located in Seneca County , New York . He was the youngest of six children of Ephraim Chapin ( 1789 – 1871 ) , a Presbyterian minister , and of Elizabeth White Maltby ( 1794 – 1886 ) . Chapin ' s siblings were named Ephraim , Eliza , Maria , Louise , and Charles . Chapin ' s initial education came from a local school in Waterloo , and then he studied law at Buffalo as well as at Ballston Spa . He was admitted to New York ' s bar association in 1852 , and then became a lawyer , practicing in Buffalo . Chapin was also part of the " Niagaras , " the city ’ s first semi - pro baseball club . He was also active in the New York ' s militia , serving as a captain in the state forces . Civil War service and death . When the American Civil War began in 1861 , Chapin chose to follow his home state and the Union cause . He was mustered into the Union Army on September 6 as a captain in the 44th New York Infantry Regiment . The 44th left New York on October 21 , numbering 1 , 061 strong , and joined the Army of the Potomac . On January 2 , 1862 , Chapin was promoted to major , and he fought during the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia . On May 27 he was seriously wounded in the Battle of Hanover Court House , among the 86 casualties the 44th suffered in the fight . Chapin ' s performance there was praised by his commanding officer , Brig . Gen . John H . Martindale . On July 4 , 1862 , Chapin was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 44th New York , however he resigned that day and returned home . During the convalescence from his wound , Chapin was approached by Buffalo officials requesting he raise and lead a new regiment , the 116th New York Infantry . On September 5 Chapin was appointed commander of the 116th , with the rank of colonel . He led the regiment south to Baltimore , Maryland , where it remained until ordered to Mississippi that November . Chapin and the 116th arrived at Ship Island , Mississippi , by sail on December 14 , 1862 , and by the end of the year they reached New Orleans , Louisiana . On February 9 , 1863 , Chapin was given brigade command in the army of Maj . Gen . Nathaniel P . Banks , operating against Confederate forces defending the Mississippi River . Chapin and his command saw action at the Battle of Plains Store on May 21 , where he was again praised for his conduct by his superiors . Six days later Chapin led his brigade ( part of Brig Gen . Christopher C . Augur ' s division ) against the Confederate fortifications around Port Hudson , Louisiana , the first assaults in the Siege of Port Hudson . What happened has been described as : After being wounded in the American Civil War with the second injury causing his death , Chapin ' s body was sent back to Waterloo , New York , and was buried there in the city ' s Maple Grove Cemetery . Four months after his death , President Abraham Lincoln sent Chapin ' s father a commission , appointing Chapin a brigadier general " for gallant and meritorious service at the assault on Port Hudson . " The commission was dated from the day of Chapin ' s death , but was never confirmed by the U . S . Congress . Chapin Parkway in Buffalo , New York , was named in his honor .