John Henry Coulston

A 20 year old miller in Norristown, he enlisted and mustered as Private, Company B, 4th Pennsylvania Infantry on 20 April 1861, for 3 months' service. He mustered out on 27 July 1861. He enlisted again, in Norristown on 31 August 1861, and mustered as Private, Company A, 51st Pennsylvania Infantry on 12 September in Harrisburg. He was promoted to Corporal on 21 January 1862.

He was wounded in action at Fox's Gap on South Mountain on 14 September 1862.

He was promoted to 5th Sergeant to date from 17 September, 4th Sergeant on 28 September 1862 and First Sergeant on 1 October 1863. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 3 May 1864 and wounded again, at Cold Harbor, VA on 3 June 1864. He was promoted again, to First Lieutenant on 1 October 1864 and to Captain on 15 January 1865. He mustered out with his Company on 27 July 1865.

He was badly injured aboard one of two trains which collided at the Exeter Station on the Reading Railroad on 12 May 1899. He and messmate Isaac Fillman were among a group of veterans who were returning from Harrisburg after the unveiling of a statue of Gen. John F. Hartranft there. He died in a hospital the next day. He was 58 years old.

Service information from the History1 and the Card File.2 Details from family genealogists and the Reading Times of 13 May 1899. His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of his picture, from a published photograph contributed by Charles McDonald.

03/02/1841; Montgomery County, PA

05/13/1899; in PA; burial in Riverside Cemetery, Norristown, PA