ABRAM LAPAN – 118(th) INFANTRYTWO YEARS WITH THE 118(th) INFANTRY - When the 118(th) Infantrystarted to form in Plattsburgh in the summer of 1862, Abram Lapan wasone of the first to sight up. He was mustered into Captain Levi Dominy’sCompany B as a private just before they left for Washington on September1(st).The regiment had a small detour to guard railroads near Baltimore beforethey finally got to the capital. They spent a couple of months at CampAdirondack just north of the capitol building in Washington and thenwere put on ship for Fortress Monroe guessing they were going toparticipate in the relief of Suffolk, VA, for the month of April in1863. After a few more minor engagements they encamped Norfolk andPortsmouth, cities 3 miles apart on the Elizabeth River, before spendingthe winter in Newport News about 25 miles north on the James River.Before the 118(th) was sent into the fray around Petersburg, Abrambecame ill in camp and was sent to hospital at Fortress Monroe about 15miles to the southeast. He died there on July 7, 1864, and was buried inthe Hampton Cemetery which became a national cemetery in1866.By August 1864, Abram’s wife, Marie Carriere, had started receiving herWidow’s Pension and she later applied for a pension for their minorchildren. His father, Peter Lapan, died in Redford in January 1865,leaving his wife, Josephte Seney, as the principal mourner.
