He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4, 5). He was 31 years old when he was enlisted (4, 5 [31 in 1863]).
He was a sailor when he was enlisted (4, 5).
He was 6 feet 2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, gray eyes, and dark hair (4, 5 [6'1-1/2", dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair]).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 1 November 1861 (1, 4). He was enlisted for three years, by Lieutenant Gregory, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4). He served in company F (1).
He was promoted to corporal, probably on 1 January 1863, though possibly on 1 June 1863 (1, 3 [1 Jan], 4 [1 Jan]).
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (6).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 24 December 1863 (1, 5). He was enlisted for three years, at Bealton, Virginia, by Lieutenant W H Carpenter (5).
He was promoted to sergeant on 1 January 1864 (1).
He was wounded on 18 June 1864 at Petersburg Virginia (1).
He deserted on 30 December 1864 (1). He was then a sergeant (1).
On 17 February 1865, he was promoted to sergeant, effective 1 January 1865 (2). (I can't explain the obvious problems with the dates!)
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (William Chaptman)
2 special order 9, HQ 91st PA, 17 February 1865 (Wm Chapman)
3 company F, list of non-commissioned officers (William Chaptman)
4 company F, descriptive roll, #70 (William Chaptman)
5 company F, second descriptive roll, #4 (William Chaptman)
6 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (William Chaptman)
[I did not find an entry for him in the index on <www.ancestry.com> to the pension index by name (searched January 2007)]