James Coey

James Coey (February 12, 1841 – July 14, 1918) was a United States military officer who fought with the Union Army as a member of the 147th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. Twice brevetted for "conspicuous gallantry" and "meritorious service", he also received his nation's highest award for valor, the U.S. Medal of Honor, which was conferred on May 12, 1892, in recognition of his efforts to rally his brigade around regimental colors and inspire a charge on the enemy during the Battle of Hatcher's Run, Virginia on February 6, 1865. Post-war, he held multiple federal and state government positions, including: U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue, District of San Francisco, California; U.S. Postmaster, San Francisco; U.S. Assessor, Internal Revenue Service (Utah Territory); Brigadier-General, 2nd Brigade, California National Guard; and Major-General, commanding, California National Guard. Formative years Born in New York City, New York on February 12, 1841, James Coey was a son of Elizabeth (Carlisle) Coey, a native of Ireland who had been born circa 1807. He was reared and educated in New York with his siblings: William John (1828–1895) and Samuel (born circa 1845). Civil War James Coey enlisted for Civil War military service at the age of 21. After enrolling in Oswego County on August 21, 1862, he was officially mustered in for duty on September 11 with Company E of the 147th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was then commissioned as a first lieutenant of E Company on October 4 of that year, and as E Company's captain on February 4, 1863. Placed on detached duty in July 1863 and assigned to service at the Union's military prison at Elmira, New York, he remained there through at least August of that year, and then returned to duty with his regiment.