Name Robert Coffey Unit 4th Vermont Infantry | Rank Sergeant Years of service 1861 - 1864 | |
Born December 15, 1842
St. John, New Brunswick, Canada ( 1842-12-15 ) Died July 9, 1901(1901-07-09) (aged 58)
Montpelier, Vermont Allegiance United States of America | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Sergeant Robert John Coffey (December 15, 1842 to July 9, 1901) was a Canadian soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Coffey received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Salem Church in Virginia on 4 May 1863. He was honored with the award on 13 May 1892.
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Biography
Coffey was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada on 15 December 1842. At the outbreak of the war he first enlisted into the 2nd Vermont Volunteer Regiment on 3 May 1861, serving for three months. He mustered into the 4th Vermont Infantry on 10 September of that year. He was promoted to 3rd Sergeant within this company and participated in several battles including the Siege of Yorktown (1862), Battle of Antietam, Battle of Gettysburg, Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Funkstown. On 4 May 1863 he performed an act of bravery during the Battle of Salem Church, for which he earned a Medal of Honor.
Following the war Coffey married Demis Hattie Burnham, with whom he had one child. He was involved in the hotel business in Vermont and also served in the state's National Guard. He died on July 9, 1901 and his remains are interred at the Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier, Vermont.
Medal of Honor citation
Single-handedly captured 2 officers and 5 privates of the 8th Louisiana Regiment (Confederate States of America).