Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
Our subject was born in Genesee county, Michigan in 1846, and was the son of Willis S. and Patience (Nichols) Coon. The father was born in Genesee county, N. Y., and in 1845 came to Michigan, first locating in Genesee county, and in 1847 came to Jackson county. To the parents eight children were born, four of whom are now living, our subject being the second. Willis Coon, the father, enlisted in Company E, First Regiment of Michigan Sharpshooters, February 1, 1863; was taken prisoner at Spottsylvania, Va., and was confined in Andersonville prison, where he died in August, 1864. Our subject, with his brother Amasa, also enlisted withthe father in the same regiment, and served until the close of the war. This regiment was organized by Col. C. V. DeLand of Jackson, and rendezvoused at Dearborn. When only partially organized, having but six companies in camp, the comand was mustered into service July 7, 1863, and immediately ordered to Indianapolis, Ind., and from thence proceeded by rail to Seymour the same state, and within a week from the date of leaving the State had met the notorious raider, Morgan, at North Vernon and Pierceville, capturing a number of his followers. Morgan had entered Indiana and was creating havoc with the inhabitants in the smaller towns on his route. DeLand, with his small, but determined force, headed him off, and by the use of strategy was enabled to rid the country of him.
Following the brief service, the regiment returned to Dearborn, and completed its organization. August 16 it proceded to Chicago, and went on duty guarding rebel prisoners at Camp Douglass. February 14, 1864, it was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 3d Division of (Willcox) G Army Corps, and joined the command at Annapolis, Md.
A year of service had already passed, but "trouble" for the regiment had only begun.
The old Army of the Potomac was just entering upon the ever memorable compaign of 1864, upon the line on which Gen. Grant proposed to fight it out if it took all summer. Crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, May 5, and two days later came the awful slaughter of the "Wilderness," the regiment being engaged on both the 6th and 7th. Its losses footed up seven killed and fourteen wounded. Keeping in line May 9, 10, 12, the regiment did valiant service at Spottsylvania, when thirty-four brave men of this command yielded up their lives, and one hundred and seventeen were wounded. The gallant Major, John Piper, was among the slain.
Col. Deland was twice strick during the fearful, bloddy conflict on the 12th, but remained at his post bravely encouraging his men by his personal heroism, until the close of the battle.
North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor and other engagements followed in rapid succession, and in each of which the First Sharpshooters took an active part, depleting their ranks in each engagement. Crossing the James river with the army during the night of the 15th of June, the morning of the 16th found the forces in front of Petersburg, the beginning of the seige which lasted till April 2 following. During the term frequen treconnoitering parties were sent out. Firing along the line was almost continous day and night. On the 16th, the day of arrrival before Petersburg, the regiment, under command of Major Rhines, became hotly engaged charging and holding the enemy's works, repelling freqent and persistent efforts to retake them; two officers and eighty-six men were captured by the regiment, also the colors of the 35th North Carolina. During the conflict the command became almost completely surrounded, -- but two alternatives were left -- it must surrender or cut its way out. The latter was quickly decided upon. The colors were destroyed to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. It finally suceeded in rejoining the army, not however, without severe loss. Maj. Rhines fell gallantly leading his command. The casualties in this engagement figured up, killed 31, woulded 46 and 84 missing.
This was the darkest day in the history of this regiment, and one never to be forgotten by the subject of this sketch. From this date to July 30 the regiment lay in the advanced line of entrenchments.
Col. Deland had resumed his command and let in a gallant charge of the brigade on the rebel works simultaneously with the "Mine Explosion." Mr. Coon, with several comrades, entered the rebel fort and remained nearly all day. The main body of troops, however, retired. The regiment suffered a loss of three men killed and thirteen wounded; Col. DeLand being among the woulded. Captain Dicey and thirty-two men were captured. Mr. Coon inclines to the opinion, that had the advantage gained been quickly followed up, a decided victory might have resulted. August 19 the command was at Weldon R. R., and a few days later at Reams Station, where it remianed until the latter part of September. At Poplar Spring Church the regiment became engaged September 30, losing two men killed and Co. DeLand, and sixteen men wounded, all of whom were left on the field, and fell into the hands of the enemy, including the woulded and brave DeLand. In this engagement our subject was wounded in the left hand and back; the shoulder strap of his knapsack was severed by a minnie ball -- he lost his haversack and cap, and his gun was put out of commission while in his hands.
The regiment did effective service for Gen. Hartranfts' brigade, October 2, at Pegram's Farm, and again on the 8th at Boydton Road. October 27 it took part in the movement at South Side Railroad, it skirmished during the day with the enemy at Hatcher's Run, losing the five men wounded.
Returning to its old camp it remained quietly in quarters till March 25, 1865, when a portion of the regiment became engaged in repelling an assualt on Fort Steadman. In this engagement James S. Coon received a severe shell wound in his right hand, crippling him for life and was also wounded in the head by a small scale off from the exploded shell. This bit of iron he carried in the head for something like fifteen years, when it worked out. He was sent to a hospital, but only remained over night, when he joined his regiment, and remained with it till the final muster out.
Mr. Coon has to his credit participation in twenty-one battles ad skirmished in addition to the long, weary months in the trenches before Petersburg.
The colors of the First Michigan Sharpshooters were the first to flutter from the court house after the City of Petersburg fell into the hands of the union forces. By order of Gen. Ralph Ely, commanding the brigade, at precisely four o'clock and twenty-eight minutes p.m.., April 3, the old banner was thrown to the breeze.
To add that the fortunes of the First Michigan Sharpshooters were the fortunes of our subject -- that its experiences were his experiences -- that its battles and victories were his, is certainly a record of which any man might feel a sense of pride, and a most worthy legacy to hadn doen to posterity.
Our subject's brother, Amasa, who was a member of the same company and regiment, and up to September, 1864, had gone through the same campaigns, received a severe wound September 30 from a piece of shell, suffering the dislocation of his knee, and the same day fell into the hands of the enemy, as a prisoner of war. He was taken to Saulsbury, where he was confined for a time; was finally paroled and came home with his regiment. He never full recovered his health, and died about six years later. At the time of enlistment, Amasa Coon was but fifteen years of age.
Mr. Coon's brother, Lewis, as a member of the 147th N. Y. Volunteers. His command was assigned to the fift corps. He enlisted in August, 1863, and joined his regiment at Brandy Station, Va., in the fall of 1863. He was with his regiment at the "Wilderness" and "Spottsylvania," "Cold Harbor, " and all through the campaign of 1864, until June; he was wounded in the left side by a minnie ball, near "Cold Harbor;" was sent to the hospital for a month, when he returned to duty, and from that date was with his regiment till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and musterd out with his command.
An Uncle, Lewis Coon, enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Calvary, and after one and one-half years' service with this dashing regiment, fell a victim of disease and was buried in a soldier's grave in the sunny south, at Nashville, Tenn. Though it was not for him to meet death on the field of battle, amid the booming of cannon and rattle of musketry, yet, in the language of the poet:
Mr. J. S. Coon spent his boyhood days in Jackson county. It was in the year 1868 he came to Leslie, where he engaged in such employment as he could secure. His ambition was to have a farm of his own, and to this end he purchased forty acres of land, to which he added as he prospered, until today, he is the happy possessor of one hundred and ten acres of good, tillable land, under a profitable state of cultivation. The buildings are substantial and attractive -- a pleasant country farm home.
August 6, 1865, Mr. Coon was married to Miss Caroline, daughter of Daniel L. and Ann McFarland. Mrs. Coon was born in Laporte, Ind. Her father was a native of Canada, the mother of New York. She was the second of four children born to her parents, and was raised in Jackson county, Michigan.
To Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Coon have been born children as follows: six of whom are living. Data respecting them is here given: Anna B., born January 17, 1867, died January, 17, 1895; Minnie A., born April 10, 1868, married E. D. J. Pixley of Jackson county, died at the home of her parents September 27, 1891; Ina P., born February 20, 1870, died January 26, 1893; Ida May, born December 21, 1871, married Lester Eaton; William H., born September 13, 1873, died September 19, 1875; Nellie E., born July 19, 1875, died May 30, 1878; Frank E., born December 13, 1877, married Nellie Hurst; George B., born December 27, 1879, married Emma Mann; Elizabeth M., born March 4, 1884; Edith A., born December 18, 1886; Lala H., born November 10, 1891.
Mr. Coon is a zealous Grand Army man, being a member of the Dewey Post No. 60 of Leslie, and has occupied nearly every official chair in the organization, which speaks volumes for his comradeship, and the fraternal side of his nature.
Being the happy possessor of a fine farm in Leslie township with good buildings and up-to-date improvements, and with a sufficiency for the demands fo the declining years, he is enabled to view the past with a degree of satisfaction that comes from the contemplation of "duties met and well performed."
Deprived of the cousel and love of both parents while yet a youth, starting in life handicapped from wounds received in battle, he has reason for personal congratulation upon the success that had attended his efforts.
Naturally inclined to the sunny side of life, he is reaping as he has sown, and finds pleasure in the harvest.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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