Background
Coates was born 24 August 1843 in Grant County, Wisconsin to William Coates and Cynthia Cain.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Jefferson Coates
Edit ProfileCareer
Although born in Grant County his official residence was listed as Boscobel, Wisconsin. Coates joined the Union Army on 29 August 1861 (a few days after his 18th birthday), and served with the 7th Wisconsin Infantry. During the Battle of Gettysburg he was shot in the face, causing him to lose both of his eyes.
He was mustered out for disability on September 1, 1864 at the end of his term of service.
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.
Achievements
-
Born
-
Died
January 27, 1880 (aged 36) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
-
Medal of Honor Medal of Honor
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.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.