Mine Eyes Have Seen

Francis Jefferson Coates was born in Grant County in Wisconsin Territory. He was in the 7th Wisconsin infantry of the “Iron Brigade”, the finest fighting brigade of the war. On the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 19 year old Sargeant and flag bearer of company H was shot in the face. The projectile took out both of his eyes. He continued to encourage his comrades until he was too weak to stand. He was propped up against a tree, where he remained as the main Rebel army arrived and drove the outnumbered Iron Brigade into the heights above Gettysburg. A rebel soldier found Coates and bayoneted him. The now twice wounded veteran managed to survive the next three days behind rebel lines while the battle raged on. The Union retook the field and he rejoined his regiment. For his bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Francis returned to Wisconsin after being invalided out of the army, got married, learned a trade and after the war, moved west to Saline County, Nebraska. He raised a large family there and prospered. The Jefferson Coates County Campus at the Missouri School for the Blind is named in his honor.