He was born on 18 June 1843 (12; 9 [21, probably when he reenlisted], 17 [21 at death in 1864], 18 (22 at death), 19 [17 in 1860], 20 [7 in 1850]). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9, 17, 19, 20). He was born to N Collin Coates and Elizabeth Stewart (12, 17, 18, 19, 20).
In 1850, he was living in ward 4, Spring Garden, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (20). He was living with his parents Collin and Eliza Coates, with Martha and Mary (presumably siblings), and with Letitia Stuart (20). He had attended school in the previous year (20).
In 1860, he was living in the 20th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19). He was living with Carlie [?] and Elizabeth Coates, and with Mathew, Annie and Sophia Coates (presumably his siblings), and Lutishia Stewart (19). He was a stone cutter's apprentice (19).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair (9). He was "somewhat freckled" (9).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 20 September 1861 (1, 9). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (9). He was a private, in company C (1, 23, 24).
On 19 March 1863, he returned to duty from Division Headquarters (5).
He was injured in the leg in May 1863 (14, 21 [wounded in leg], 22 [leg]). On 7 May 1863, he was reported missing in action (6).
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer (1).
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia (2). He returned from detached service on 16 April 1864 (11).
On 18 June 1864, he rescued the body of William Miller, and brought it within the lines, while under enemy fire (4). For that "meritorious conduct" he was promoted to sergeant, on 28 June 1864, effective 18 June (4, 7).
He was wounded on 27 October 1864, at Hatcher's Run, Virginia (1, 18). He died of those wounds or of pyaemia, on 27 November 1864, near Petersburg, Virginia (1, 7, 8, 12 [22 Nov], 13, 16 [22 Nov] 17 [22 Nov, no hint not in Philadelphia], 18 [23 (?)]). He was a sergeant in company C (1, 23, 24). His Philadelphia death record was signed by Dr P D Keyser--presumably the Peter D Keyser who had served in the 91st (17).
On 26 November 1864, he was buried, in Glenwood Cemetery (17, 18). He was buried from (or died at) his parents' residence, 2484 Master Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (17, 18 [2131 (?) Master]).
On 23 [or 28?] July 1891, his mother, Elizabeth Coats, successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension (15, 16)
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
3 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
4 special order 54, HQ 91st PA, 28 June 1864
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 19 March 1863 (Pri Coats)
6 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 May 1863 (Pri Coats)
7 company C, List of non-commissioned officers, page 2, sergeants (Charles Coates)
8 company C, register of deaths (Charles Coates)
9 company C, descriptive roll, entry 23 (Charles Coats)
10 company C, untitled list, probably of status at muster out, entry 79 (Chas Coates)
11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 16 April 1864 (Coates)
12 "Watkins-Jennings Family", a GEDCOM on Rootsweb.com WorldConnect, revised 10 October 2004 (viewed 9 January 2006) (Charles Coates)
13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 28 December 1864 (Charles Coats)
14 'The Battles of Fredericksburg: further list of wounded', Philadelphia Inquirer 12 May 1863, page 4 (Charles Coates)
15 pension index, by name (Charles Coats)
16 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company C (Charles Coats)
17 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 22 Nov 1864 (Charles Coats)
18 death notice, Public Ledger 25 November 1864 page 2 (Charles Coats)
19 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 20, division 1, microfilm series M653, film 1171, page 280 = 282 handwritten (Charles Coates)
20 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, Spring Garden, ward 4, microfilm series M432, film 819, page 123 = 255 handwritten (Charles Coates)
21 'The ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Press, Wednesday 13 May 1863, page 2 (Charles Coates)
22 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania at Chancellorville', Philadelphia Inquirer 13 May 1863, page 8 (Charles Coates)
23 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Charles Coates)
24 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Charles Coats)
| line | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwellings visited | 688 | |||||
| Families visited | 829 | |||||
| Name | Collin Coates | Eliza | Charles | Martha | Mary | Letitia Stuart |
| Age | 33 | 28 | 7 | 5 | 10/12 | 33 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | " | " |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Stone Cutter | |||||
| Real estate owned | 2500 | |||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | |||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Dwelling number | 1817 | ||||||
| Family number | 2047 | ||||||
| Name | Carlie [?] Coates | Elizabeth " | Charles " | Mathew H " | Annie " | Sophia " | Lutishia [sic] Stewart |
| ['Carlie' is written above a crossed-out 'Caroline'] | |||||||
| Age | 43 | 37 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 4/12 | 43 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | F | F | F |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation | Stone Cutter | Stone Cutter App | |||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||
| Value of personal estate | 400 | ||||||
| Place of birth | Penna | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||
COATS [sic--On the 23d [?] inst, Sergeant CHARLES COATS, of Company C, 91st P.V.V., son of Collin and Elizabeth Coats, in the 22d year of his age, of wounds received on the 27th of October, in the advance on Richmond.
The relatives, friends, and those of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Saturday, the 26th, at 2 o'clock, from the residence of his parents, No. 2131 [?] Master street, without further notice. Also the member of the 91st P.V.V. who are in the city are respectfully invited to attend.