James Henry Coates

James Henry Coates
James Henry Coates
Born	November 27, 1829; Norristown, Pennsylvania
Died	May 17, 1902; St Louis, Missouri
Buried	Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Allegiance	Union; Illinois
Service/branch	Union Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Rank	Colonel; Brevet Brigadier General
Commands	11th Illinois Infantry Regiment; 2nd Bde, 1st Div, XVII Corps.
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Fort Donelson; Battle of Shiloh; Battle of Riggins Hill; Vicksburg campaign; Battle of Yazoo City; Yazoo City expedition; Battle of Spanish Fort; Battle of Fort Blakely; ;

James Henry Coates (November 27, 1829 – May 17, 1902) became the commanding officer of the 11th Illinois Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. Born in Pennsylvania, he became a captain in the 11th Illinois in 1861. He fought at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Riggins Hill, and in the Vicksburg campaign. He rose in rank to major and lieutenant colonel before being promoted colonel after the regiment's commander was killed at the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863. He led an expedition up the Yazoo River which resulted in the Battle of Yazoo City in March 1864. He led a brigade in XVII Corps in the Yazoo City expedition and his regiment in the Mobile campaign. He received the brevet rank of brigadier general for war service on March 13, 1865.

References

Boatner, Mark M. III (1959). The Civil War Dictionary. New York, N.Y.: David McKay Company Inc. ISBN 0-679-50013-8.
Dobak, William A. (2011). "Freedom by the Sword: The U.S. Colored Troops 1862–1867" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, U.S. Army. pp. 199–202. Retrieved November 7, 2020.