Robert W. Coleman was not old enough to enter the Civil War, but he fibbed about his age and enlisted Sept. 3rd or 4th, 1861 at the age of 19 at Camp Burnett, Tennessee for a term of 3 years or duration of the War. As a private in Company E, 4th Regiment, Kentucky infantry, he was a Company teamster from 1 Jan 1862 to 31 Apr 1862. For this 120 days of service his pay was 25 cents per day. He received clothing 30 Sept 1863 in Atlanta, GA. He was captured 16 May 1864 in Resaca, Georgia and received as a prisoner of war, 22 May 1864 at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was released on oath 18 May 1865. During the year that Robert was at Indianapolis, Indiana. Prisoners did not have much to eat and during this time he made rings and sold them to keep from starving. Place of residence Louisville, Kentucky. His complexion was light, hair light, eyes blue and stood 5 ft. 6 1/4 in. tall.

Robert left Margaret and she raised the six children by herself. Margaret died at the home of Lottie Peeler.