Stephen Gardner Champlin
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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
.
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician, lawyer, soldier, and judge. He served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, rising to the rank of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
before succumbing to wounds he received in combat.
Early life
Champlin was born in Kingston, New YorkKingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
, 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
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
for a single term. In 1842 Champlin began studying medicine at Harperfield in Delaware County
Delaware County, New York
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...
, and by 1845 a he had a medical practice located at Warwarsing in Ulster County
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
. 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
Kingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
. Also that year Champlin was admitted to the New York state bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
, and in 1850 started a law practice in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
On January 1, 1851, Champlin married Mary E. Smedes at the town of Wawarsing in Ulster County
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
. The couple had at least one child together, a son named Alexander. During 1853 he relocated his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
. 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
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
, 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
Kent County, Michigan
-Air Service:*Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport . Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926,...
.
Civil War service
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
. On June 10 he entered the Union Army as a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in the 3rd Michigan Infantry. This regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
was organized at Grand Rapids to serve three years, and left the city on June 13. Camplin was in command of a reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
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
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
's commander, Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
. 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
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
as of October 28.
Champlin participated during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
, and was wounded in his hip at the Battle of Seven Pines
Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place on May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula by Union Maj. Gen....
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
Philip Kearny
Philip Kearny, Jr., was a United States Army officer, notable for his leadership in the Mexican-American War and American Civil War. He was killed in action in the 1862 Battle of Chantilly.-Early life and career:...
, shortly before the latter's own death in combat.
Partially recovered, Champlin led his regiment during the Second Battle of Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
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
Michigan in the American Civil War
Michigan made a substantial contribution to the Union during the American Civil War. While far removed from the fighting in the war, Michigan supplied a large number of troops and several generals, including George Armstrong Custer. When, at the beginning of the war, Michigan was asked to supply no...
Governor
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
Austin Blair
Austin Blair
Austin Blair , also known as the Civil War Governor, was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan...
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
Enrollment Act
The Enrollment Act, , enacted March 3, 1863, was legislation passed by the United States Congress during the American Civil War to provide fresh manpower for the Union Army. A form of conscription, the controversial act required the enrollment of every male citizen and those immigrants who had...
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
Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
Post #29 in Grand Rapids was named for him.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals