James King Polk Chapman, b. 5 September 1846 in Russell County Kentucky, d. 23 April 1919 in Esto, Russell County, Kentucky. His final resting place is in Esto, KY at Wolford Cemetery.
Adjutant General's Report:
Civil War Record - Union
Company "G" Twentieth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
Rank: Private
Enrolled: 16 December 1861
Mustered in: 6 January 1862 at Smithland, Kentucky
Remarks: Deserted 19 Aug 1862 at Nashville, Tennessee to join the 8th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry
Company "F" Eighth Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry
Rank: Private
Enrolled: 5 Aug 1862
Mustered in: 8 Sep 1862 at Russellville, Kentucky
Mustered out: 17 Sep 1863 at Lebanon, Kentucky
Company "C" South Cumberland Battalion
Rank: Bugler
Enrolled: 20 February 1865
Mustered in: 30 April 1865 at Jamestown, Kentucky
Mustered Out: 23 October 1865 at Columbia, Kentucky
Now, what is interesting is that his tomb stone is engraved with "Company K, 13th Regement Kentucky Cavalry." This may explain the the missing gap in service between September 1863 and when he joined "Company C, South Cumberland Battalion" in April 1865. According to his oldest son, Otha Calwell Chapman (1876-1977), James King Polk Chapman (he was just called Polk) served from late 1861 to late 1865 and remembers being told that Polk was home in late 1864 for several months before going back and then being mustered out for good in October of 1865.
Attached is a picture of his tomb stone and a better picture of Polk.
