Civil War Union veteran of the "Meredith Guards," Company F, 19th Indiana Infantry. He was the son of John Coffin and Matilda Walker and a grandson of Zacharias Coffin and Phebe Starbuck. When he enlisted at the age of 19, he was described as 5' 10" in height with a light complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. He had been a farmer before the war, and was a resident of Hancock County, Indiana. He mustered into the service as a Private on July 29, 1861.
While serving his country, he was wounded three times: at the Battle of South Mountain on Sep. 14, 1862, at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and during the fighting at Cold Harbor in June, 1864.
On May 29, 1863, he had to testify as a witness in John P. Woods' court martial trial, along with First Sergeant William P. Wilson. Both men testified that Woods had been absent without permission during the regiment's charge across the river at Fitzhugh Crossing.
By August of 1864, he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. When Indiana Military Agent William H. De Motte visited hospitals in the Washington D. C. area in August 1864, he reported on hospital conditions to the President of the Indiana Sanitary Commission, William Hannaman. In his report of Aug. 23, 1864, he mentioned "Sargeant Zachariah Coffin" as one of the patients at the "Sickles Barracks" hospital in Alexandria, Va. He was recovering from the wounds he received at the Battle of Cold Harbor which took place about 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital Richmond, Va. Several of Zachariah's comrades from the 19th Indiana Infantry were also hospitalized with him. Apparently, many of these iron-tough, veteran soldiers were having a hard time sitting or lying around "doing nothing":
Striking across and back of the city about a mile [from Slough Barracks Hospital], I came to "Sickles' Barracks" Hospital, which is much more extensive than either of the others I have mentioned [Soldier's Rest and Slough Barracks Hospitals]. Among the patients are: Sargeants Zachariah Coffin, Co. G, 19th Regt.; J. S. Taylor, Co. C, 20th Regiment: Privates Curtis Davis, Co. G, 19th Regt.; Thos. A. Wood, Co. C, 14th Regt.; F. M. Huff, Co. B, 19th Regt.; James Dolan, Co. B, 20th Regt.; 0. W. Johnson, Co.F, 7th Regt.; Morris O'Rourk, Co. F, 19th Regt.; Jeremiah White, Co. I, 19th Regt.; Wm. Fletcher, Co. D, 19th Regt.; G. W. Fullhart, Co. K, 19th Regt., and Perry Bowen, Co. G, 20th Regt. Corp. Peter O. Alloway, Co. B, 20th Regt., and private John Holcomb, Co. A, 7th Regt., had died since my last visit. Several of these hope to get furloughs soon. There is a great desire manifested among all our men here, even the weakest, to participate in the stirring scenes at home; and wherever they go, whether to the battle or to the ballot box, the Union will have in them uncompromising supporters. More than one has said to me, "I cannot do anything here, but I could at home. I could talk—I could vote." One Irishman, who had just returned from home, telling of his encounter with a Copperhead, exclaimed: "Bedad, an didn't I break his ould head? See the dint on my crutch!" But I have no room to narrate the many instances of patriotism, endurance, and courage one constantly meets with.
He mustered out of the service at the rank of Sergeant in July, 1864. He filed for and started to receive a pension in 1864.
On Oct. 4, 1870, he married Josephine Florella New in Hancock County.
His two brothers, Edward Starbuck Coffin and Elisha D. Coffin, also served in the Civil War. (Bio by Cindy Coffin, (c) 2005)
Sources:
Annual Reports of the Officers of State of the State of Indiana, Part 2. Sanitary Report from Washington, D. C. - Wm. H. De Motte, Agent. Washington, Aug. 24, 2864. P. 176.
Special thanks to Find A Grave contributor Sherry for creating Zachariah's memorial and providing the marker photographs.
While serving his country, he was wounded three times: at the Battle of South Mountain on Sep. 14, 1862, at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and during the fighting at Cold Harbor in June, 1864.
On May 29, 1863, he had to testify as a witness in John P. Woods' court martial trial, along with First Sergeant William P. Wilson. Both men testified that Woods had been absent without permission during the regiment's charge across the river at Fitzhugh Crossing.
By August of 1864, he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. When Indiana Military Agent William H. De Motte visited hospitals in the Washington D. C. area in August 1864, he reported on hospital conditions to the President of the Indiana Sanitary Commission, William Hannaman. In his report of Aug. 23, 1864, he mentioned "Sargeant Zachariah Coffin" as one of the patients at the "Sickles Barracks" hospital in Alexandria, Va. He was recovering from the wounds he received at the Battle of Cold Harbor which took place about 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital Richmond, Va. Several of Zachariah's comrades from the 19th Indiana Infantry were also hospitalized with him. Apparently, many of these iron-tough, veteran soldiers were having a hard time sitting or lying around "doing nothing":
Striking across and back of the city about a mile [from Slough Barracks Hospital], I came to "Sickles' Barracks" Hospital, which is much more extensive than either of the others I have mentioned [Soldier's Rest and Slough Barracks Hospitals]. Among the patients are: Sargeants Zachariah Coffin, Co. G, 19th Regt.; J. S. Taylor, Co. C, 20th Regiment: Privates Curtis Davis, Co. G, 19th Regt.; Thos. A. Wood, Co. C, 14th Regt.; F. M. Huff, Co. B, 19th Regt.; James Dolan, Co. B, 20th Regt.; 0. W. Johnson, Co.F, 7th Regt.; Morris O'Rourk, Co. F, 19th Regt.; Jeremiah White, Co. I, 19th Regt.; Wm. Fletcher, Co. D, 19th Regt.; G. W. Fullhart, Co. K, 19th Regt., and Perry Bowen, Co. G, 20th Regt. Corp. Peter O. Alloway, Co. B, 20th Regt., and private John Holcomb, Co. A, 7th Regt., had died since my last visit. Several of these hope to get furloughs soon. There is a great desire manifested among all our men here, even the weakest, to participate in the stirring scenes at home; and wherever they go, whether to the battle or to the ballot box, the Union will have in them uncompromising supporters. More than one has said to me, "I cannot do anything here, but I could at home. I could talk—I could vote." One Irishman, who had just returned from home, telling of his encounter with a Copperhead, exclaimed: "Bedad, an didn't I break his ould head? See the dint on my crutch!" But I have no room to narrate the many instances of patriotism, endurance, and courage one constantly meets with.
He mustered out of the service at the rank of Sergeant in July, 1864. He filed for and started to receive a pension in 1864.
On Oct. 4, 1870, he married Josephine Florella New in Hancock County.
His two brothers, Edward Starbuck Coffin and Elisha D. Coffin, also served in the Civil War. (Bio by Cindy Coffin, (c) 2005)
Sources:
Annual Reports of the Officers of State of the State of Indiana, Part 2. Sanitary Report from Washington, D. C. - Wm. H. De Motte, Agent. Washington, Aug. 24, 2864. P. 176.
Special thanks to Find A Grave contributor Sherry for creating Zachariah's memorial and providing the marker photographs.
Civil War Union veteran of the "Meredith Guards," Company F, 19th Indiana Infantry. He was the son of John Coffin and Matilda Walker and a grandson of Zacharias Coffin and Phebe Starbuck. When he enlisted at the age of 19, he was described as 5' 10" in height with a light complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. He had been a farmer before the war, and was a resident of Hancock County, Indiana. He mustered into the service as a Private on July 29, 1861.
While serving his country, he was wounded three times: at the Battle of South Mountain on Sep. 14, 1862, at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and during the fighting at Cold Harbor in June, 1864.
On May 29, 1863, he had to testify as a witness in John P. Woods' court martial trial, along with First Sergeant William P. Wilson. Both men testified that Woods had been absent without permission during the regiment's charge across the river at Fitzhugh Crossing.
By August of 1864, he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. When Indiana Military Agent William H. De Motte visited hospitals in the Washington D. C. area in August 1864, he reported on hospital conditions to the President of the Indiana Sanitary Commission, William Hannaman. In his report of Aug. 23, 1864, he mentioned "Sargeant Zachariah Coffin" as one of the patients at the "Sickles Barracks" hospital in Alexandria, Va. He was recovering from the wounds he received at the Battle of Cold Harbor which took place about 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital Richmond, Va. Several of Zachariah's comrades from the 19th Indiana Infantry were also hospitalized with him. Apparently, many of these iron-tough, veteran soldiers were having a hard time sitting or lying around "doing nothing":
Striking across and back of the city about a mile [from Slough Barracks Hospital], I came to "Sickles' Barracks" Hospital, which is much more extensive than either of the others I have mentioned [Soldier's Rest and Slough Barracks Hospitals]. Among the patients are: Sargeants Zachariah Coffin, Co. G, 19th Regt.; J. S. Taylor, Co. C, 20th Regiment: Privates Curtis Davis, Co. G, 19th Regt.; Thos. A. Wood, Co. C, 14th Regt.; F. M. Huff, Co. B, 19th Regt.; James Dolan, Co. B, 20th Regt.; 0. W. Johnson, Co.F, 7th Regt.; Morris O'Rourk, Co. F, 19th Regt.; Jeremiah White, Co. I, 19th Regt.; Wm. Fletcher, Co. D, 19th Regt.; G. W. Fullhart, Co. K, 19th Regt., and Perry Bowen, Co. G, 20th Regt. Corp. Peter O. Alloway, Co. B, 20th Regt., and private John Holcomb, Co. A, 7th Regt., had died since my last visit. Several of these hope to get furloughs soon. There is a great desire manifested among all our men here, even the weakest, to participate in the stirring scenes at home; and wherever they go, whether to the battle or to the ballot box, the Union will have in them uncompromising supporters. More than one has said to me, "I cannot do anything here, but I could at home. I could talk—I could vote." One Irishman, who had just returned from home, telling of his encounter with a Copperhead, exclaimed: "Bedad, an didn't I break his ould head? See the dint on my crutch!" But I have no room to narrate the many instances of patriotism, endurance, and courage one constantly meets with.
He mustered out of the service at the rank of Sergeant in July, 1864. He filed for and started to receive a pension in 1864.
On Oct. 4, 1870, he married Josephine Florella New in Hancock County.
His two brothers, Edward Starbuck Coffin and Elisha D. Coffin, also served in the Civil War. (Bio by Cindy Coffin, (c) 2005)
Sources:
Annual Reports of the Officers of State of the State of Indiana, Part 2. Sanitary Report from Washington, D. C. - Wm. H. De Motte, Agent. Washington, Aug. 24, 2864. P. 176.
Special thanks to Find A Grave contributor Sherry for creating Zachariah's memorial and providing the marker photographs.
While serving his country, he was wounded three times: at the Battle of South Mountain on Sep. 14, 1862, at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and during the fighting at Cold Harbor in June, 1864.
On May 29, 1863, he had to testify as a witness in John P. Woods' court martial trial, along with First Sergeant William P. Wilson. Both men testified that Woods had been absent without permission during the regiment's charge across the river at Fitzhugh Crossing.
By August of 1864, he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. When Indiana Military Agent William H. De Motte visited hospitals in the Washington D. C. area in August 1864, he reported on hospital conditions to the President of the Indiana Sanitary Commission, William Hannaman. In his report of Aug. 23, 1864, he mentioned "Sargeant Zachariah Coffin" as one of the patients at the "Sickles Barracks" hospital in Alexandria, Va. He was recovering from the wounds he received at the Battle of Cold Harbor which took place about 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital Richmond, Va. Several of Zachariah's comrades from the 19th Indiana Infantry were also hospitalized with him. Apparently, many of these iron-tough, veteran soldiers were having a hard time sitting or lying around "doing nothing":
Striking across and back of the city about a mile [from Slough Barracks Hospital], I came to "Sickles' Barracks" Hospital, which is much more extensive than either of the others I have mentioned [Soldier's Rest and Slough Barracks Hospitals]. Among the patients are: Sargeants Zachariah Coffin, Co. G, 19th Regt.; J. S. Taylor, Co. C, 20th Regiment: Privates Curtis Davis, Co. G, 19th Regt.; Thos. A. Wood, Co. C, 14th Regt.; F. M. Huff, Co. B, 19th Regt.; James Dolan, Co. B, 20th Regt.; 0. W. Johnson, Co.F, 7th Regt.; Morris O'Rourk, Co. F, 19th Regt.; Jeremiah White, Co. I, 19th Regt.; Wm. Fletcher, Co. D, 19th Regt.; G. W. Fullhart, Co. K, 19th Regt., and Perry Bowen, Co. G, 20th Regt. Corp. Peter O. Alloway, Co. B, 20th Regt., and private John Holcomb, Co. A, 7th Regt., had died since my last visit. Several of these hope to get furloughs soon. There is a great desire manifested among all our men here, even the weakest, to participate in the stirring scenes at home; and wherever they go, whether to the battle or to the ballot box, the Union will have in them uncompromising supporters. More than one has said to me, "I cannot do anything here, but I could at home. I could talk—I could vote." One Irishman, who had just returned from home, telling of his encounter with a Copperhead, exclaimed: "Bedad, an didn't I break his ould head? See the dint on my crutch!" But I have no room to narrate the many instances of patriotism, endurance, and courage one constantly meets with.
He mustered out of the service at the rank of Sergeant in July, 1864. He filed for and started to receive a pension in 1864.
On Oct. 4, 1870, he married Josephine Florella New in Hancock County.
His two brothers, Edward Starbuck Coffin and Elisha D. Coffin, also served in the Civil War. (Bio by Cindy Coffin, (c) 2005)
Sources:
Annual Reports of the Officers of State of the State of Indiana, Part 2. Sanitary Report from Washington, D. C. - Wm. H. De Motte, Agent. Washington, Aug. 24, 2864. P. 176.
Special thanks to Find A Grave contributor Sherry for creating Zachariah's memorial and providing the marker photographs.
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