Charles Coster

Charles Robert Coster (c. 1837 – December 23, 1888) was an American soldier and public official, who is best known for commanding a brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg. Early life Coster was born in New York City. He was the son of John H. Coster and Sarah Adeline (née Boardman) Coster, He was also a first cousin of New York clubman, Harry Coster. His father, better known as a playboy before a businessman, was one of twelve children that married into many prominent families. His grandfather, John Gerard Coster, came from Haarlem in the Netherlands to the United States shortly after the Revolutionary War and founded the family fortune through the mercantile firm, "Henry A. & John G. Coster". Military career On April 17, 1861, just five days after the firing on Fort Sumter, he enlisted as a private in the 7th New York Militia, one of the first regiments to come to the defense of Washington, D.C. at the outbreak of the Civil War. He later enlisted in 1861 at age 24 as a first lieutenant in 12th U.S. Infantry. He served in Brig. Gen. George Sykes's division of V Corps in the Seven Days Battles, being commended by his superiors for his conduct at the Battle of Gaines' Mill on June 27, 1862.