New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.

Charles H T Coils was a native Of Ireland but
he brought 70 this country, when he was a
boy Of fifteen. by his father The rest OF the
family. nine in number, perished on the tll-fated
City Of Glasgow when they were their way 70
America. Before he Of age young Coils entered
the law Office OF John NJ Reed. of Philadelphia.
afterward Chief Justice OF the State OF PennsyI-
vania. and he was admitted 10 the practice OF law
IN 1859 At the outbreak OF the Civil War he
listed in the 18th Regiment OF Pennsylvania Militia
and served three months with the regiment in
Baltimore, attaining the rank Of sergeant major.
Then he raised company OF infantry known
the Zouaves dAfrique and reported to General
Banks for service Later the command was raised
10 a regiment, and Coils received a commission
colonel The regiment was known the uilh
Pennsylva MIA Volunteers
For bravery al Fredericksburg, Va. in the battle
Of December 13. 1867. Colonel Coils received Con-
gress medal At Charlottesville. May 5. 1s63,
the regiment took and held for time the
breastworks defended by Trimbles division Of the
enemy. Colonel Coils recommended as
brigade commander, but he was attacked with
typhoid fever and sent to his home in Phlla-
delpha- Late in the year. in the Mile Run
campaign. he had horse shot under him Al
spottsyvania. in May. 1864, he performed service
which the praise OF General Grant and gained
for him the rank of brigadier general
At the battle Of Petersburg. on April > ls65.
which was the frst OF the seven days fighting
which crushed Lees army. portion OF the Ninth
Corps having been driven back from the works
General Coils. who had been ordered TO the spot
BY General Grant to assist General P1rke, prompt
" rushed to their relief, leading the Hath Penn
sylvana Volunteers and 61st Massa chusetJs IN per-
SON retaking all the lost ground and advancing 20
an inner line OF works. This was not accom-
plished without serious loss of life. Three Of the
officers of his own little regiment had been killed
in the assault For his conduct upon this occasion
he was brevetted a major general at the request
Of Lieutenant General Grant
raTrrr cd h0r7 a -r1
was mustered out Of service. General Coils at once
resumed the practice OF law. He was appointed
City Solicitor OF Philadelphia, holding that position
in 1868.
General Coils came 70 this city TO live in 1882
and soon took an active interest in politics as
member Of the Republican County Committee He
was a supporter OF William Brookield and was a
member Of the Committee Of Thirty which reor-
ganized the Republican organization in NeW-1oTk
County He was member OF the Committee or
Seventy that nominated Mayor Strong in 1894. and
made many speeches in the campaign that ended
in Mayor Strongs election.
General Coils early in 1895 was appointed Deputy
Commissioner OF Public Works under William
Brookheld and upon the retirement OF Mr. Brook
field from ofHce in the same year General Coils
became the Commissioner Of Public Works, hold
ing the Office until the end of Mayor Strong's ad-
YninistratIou He paved Flfth-ave. from end 10 end
with asphalt and extended asphalt pavenents 70
many other streets OF the city.
The Commissioners Of Accounts IN the Van Wyck
administration made reports attacking General
Collis's paving contracts. and District Attorney
Gardiner laid the case before the Grand Jury. but
after an invests gation the Grand Jury refused 70
bring indictment General COINS later lnaue
some vigorous attacks upon Tammany contracts
for asphalt pavements.
General Coils praCtised law in this city before
and a after his term OF Office as Commissioner OF
Public Works and continued 70 be an active mem
bsr 90 he TaDuhIicar County Committee He
a member Of the Union League and spent constd-
cradle time AT the club. He was mend OF the
Republican Club OF New-York. the Army and Navy
Club the Lotos Club, the LAWYERS Club, the Loyal
Legion and the Pennsylvania Society.