JOHN COALTER BATES
BATES, JOHN COALTER, major-general in the army of the United States, is a striking example of the "self-made" soldier. Born in Missouri, St. Charles county, August 26, 1842, he was appointed first lieutenant in the 11th United States infantry on May 14, 1861, while still a student in Washington University, St. Louis. His soldierly qualities were not long in commending him to his superior officers, and May 1, 1863, he was promoted captain, and assigned to the staff of General Meade just prior to the battle of Gettysburg, retaining this position until the surrender of the Confederate forces at Appomattox. His record for "gallant and meritorious services in the field" brought him the brevet rank of major, August 1, 1864, and that of lieutenant-colonel, April 9, 1865. He took part in the fighting at Gettysburg, throughout that memorable struggle, and at Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Chapel House, Hatcher's Run, Virginia, and in the operations against Richmond which resulted in its capitulation. "He commanded a company at YorktowTi, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, and was aide-de-camp to General Hooker at Chancellorsville. He participated in most of the engagements of the Army of the Potomac from 1862 to 1865."
After the close of the war Colonel Bates was first given service at a recruiting station, and subsequent to 1868 was stationed on the plains of Dakota, Montana, Texas, New Mexico and other parts of the country to police various Indian tribes. His Indian service extended over a period of thirty years, during which he acquired a very minute knowledge of the methods of Indian warfare and of aboriginal traits. He was president of the board on Revision of Tactics for the United States army, at Washington, District of Columbia, 1888, and at Leavenworth, Kansas, 1889-90, receiving promotion to colonel of the United States infantry in 1892. He was president of the board that prepared firing regulations for the army, and is regarded as an authority on the tactical and small arms firing
