Coffin, Phineas

Phineas Coffin

NPS Photo/Stones River National Battlefield Archive

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company E, 79th Illinois Infantry

Place of Birth:

Guilford County, North Carolina

Date of Birth:

February 18, 1834

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

December 31, 1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Phineas Coffin was born February 18, 1834, in Guilford County, North Carolina to Nathan and Elizabeth Coffin. In the 1850 United States Census, Phineas was listed as one of 7 children, with himself being the third eldest son. On September 22, 1860, Phineas married Sophronia A Cumings in Owen, Indiana. The pair welcomed a son, William Ellsworth Coffin on July 28, 1861, in Owen, Indiana. On August 15, 1862, at the age of 28, Phineas enlisted in Douglas County, Illinois. On August 28, 1862, he mustered into service at Camp Terry, Illinois with company E of the 79th Illinois Infantry Regiment as a private. The Illinois descriptive muster rolls described him as being 5’9 with sandy colored hair, hazel eyes, and a light complexion. At the time of enlistment his occupation was listed as a farmer.

The 79th Illinois infantry was organized August of 1862 and traveled to Kentucky after its organization. They fought at the Battle of Perryville in Perryville, KY before moving to Nashville, Tennessee. At some point between his enlistment and the time of the battle of Stones River, Coffin had a rank change to corporal. After being stationed in Nashville, the regiment was ordered south to Murfreesboro, Tennessee on December 26th, and arrived on the 30th.

On December 31st the 79th Illinois was positioned along Gresham Lane, where the early morning Confederate attack occurred. By 8 AM, Confederates had formed a J-shape around the Union’s right flank where the 79th Illinois was positioned. This formation caused the Union to be pushed northward by the attacking Confederates. By 11AM the 79th along with other Union regiments were pushed north of Asbury Lane. They reformed into position along the railroad tracks where they would remain for the rest of the first day of Battle. It was during the fighting that occurred on December 31, 1862, that Corporal Coffin lost his life. 

Phineas Coffin is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot D-1436. The photo of Phineas Coffin can be found as part of our museum collection archive. 

Tags: stones river national battlefield, stones river national cemetery, american civil war, 79th illinois infantry