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R. Coulter
(1827 - 1908)
Home State: Pennsylvania
Education: Washington and Jefferson College (Law), Class of 1846
Command Billet: Commanding Regiment
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 11th Pennsylvania Infantry
see his Battle Report
Before Antietam
He studied law and was admitted to the bar at 19 years, then served as a Private, 2nd Pennsylvania in the Mexican War (1847-48) and later in PA Militia service during the 1850s.1 He raised and was Captain and Lt Colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry at the start of the War. He was appointed Colonel in November 1861.2
On the Campaign
He was in command of the Brigade after Brigadier General Hartsuff was wounded early on the 17th.
The rest of the War
He was in active service for the remainder of the war, honorably mustering out of service in July 1865. He was cited for "gallant conduct" by brevets for action at the Wilderness and Spottslvania Courthouse, VA (to Brigadier General, Aug 1864) and Five Forks, VA (to Major General, April 1865).2
After the War
He did well as a coal mine developer and banker in Pennsylvania.1
Birth
1827 in PA
Death
1908; Greensburg, PA
1 Background and Journal summary online from the U of Michigan.
Coulter, Richard, Journal, 1847 January 1-1848 July 14 (Typescript), The University of Michigan, William L. Clements Library, Mexican War Collections, 1847-1848 [AotW citation 88]
2 Heitman, Francis Bernard, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army 1789-1903, 2 volumes, Washington DC: US Government Printing Office, 1903, pg. 330 [AotW citation 89]