Jefferson Coates
Encyclopedia
Francis Jefferson Coates (August 24, 1843 – January 27, 1880) was a soldier in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
and one of 64 men who received the Medal of Honor
for actions during the Battle of Gettysburg
.
to William Coates and Cynthia Cain. Although born in Grant County his official residence was listed as Boscobel, Wisconsin
.
During the American Civil War he joined the Union Army
serving with the 7th Wisconsin Infantry. He was wounded while fighting in the Battle of South Mountain
and during the Battle of Gettysburg
were he received the Medal of Honor
and a Brevet promotion to Captain for courage in battle. During the Battle of Gettysburg he was shot in the face causing him to become blind in both eyes for the rest of his life. He was mustered out of the army September 1, 1864 at the end of hs term of service.
Coates learned how to make brooms after the war and married Rachael Sarah Drew April 21, 1867. Together they had 5 children and sometime between 1870 and 1873 they moved to Dorchester, Nebraska
.
He died of pneumonia in Dorchester, Nebraska January 27, 1880 and is buried in Dorchester Cemetery in Dorchester.
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...
and one of 64 men who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions during the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
.
Biography
Coates was born August 24, 1843 in Grant County, WisconsinGrant County, Wisconsin
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 49,597. Its county seat is Lancaster. Estimates for 2008 show a population of 49,238...
to William Coates and Cynthia Cain. Although born in Grant County his official residence was listed as Boscobel, Wisconsin
Boscobel, Wisconsin
Boscobel is a city in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,047 at the 2000 census. Approximately 0.6 mi. to the north of the city, across a riparian swamp, is the Wisconsin River. U.S. Route 61 crosses the Wisconsin River at Boscobel. To the south, the city is...
.
During the American Civil War he joined 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...
serving with the 7th Wisconsin Infantry. He was wounded while fighting in the Battle of South Mountain
Battle of South Mountain
The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B...
and during the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
were he received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
and a Brevet promotion to Captain for courage in battle. During the Battle of Gettysburg he was shot in the face causing him to become blind in both eyes for the rest of his life. He was mustered out of the army September 1, 1864 at the end of hs term of service.
Coates learned how to make brooms after the war and married Rachael Sarah Drew April 21, 1867. Together they had 5 children and sometime between 1870 and 1873 they moved to Dorchester, Nebraska
Dorchester, Nebraska
Dorchester is a village in Saline County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 615 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dorchester is located at ....
.
He died of pneumonia in Dorchester, Nebraska January 27, 1880 and is buried in Dorchester Cemetery in Dorchester.
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:For extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1863, while serving with Company H, 7th Wisconsin Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for unsurpassed courage in battle, where he had both eyes shot out.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F