| Jefferson Coates | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 24, 1843 Grant County, Wisconsin |
| Died | January 27, 1880 (aged 36) |
| Place of burial | Dorchester Cemetery Dorchester, Nebraska |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/branch | United States Army Union Army |
| Rank | brevet Captain |
| Unit | Company H, 7th Wisconsin Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War *Battle of South Mountain *Battle of Gettysburg |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
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.
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Coates was born August 24, 1843 in Grant County, Wisconsin to William Coates and Cynthia Cain. Although born in Grant County his official residence was listed as Boscobel, Wisconsin.[1]
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.
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.