He fought in the Shenandoah Valley and was injured during the battle where General Shields turned back Stonewall Jackson. When he had recovered and reported for duty, he was transferred to the 6th New York. His regiment fought under General Meade at Gettysburg.
According to family history, Sgt. Cogan was nearly always sent out with a scouting party, and had many narrow escapes. At Kelly’s Ford, his horse was shot while crossing a river. It reared back and fell pinioning Mr. Cogan under him. His two companions saw the horse fall and as it was the only roan horse in the company, knew that it was Mr. Cogan. They pulled the horse to one side, got him out unconscious but still alive. His breast was crushed by otherwise he was unhurt. In three days he escaped from the hospital and rejoined his regiment. Mr. Cogan used to say drowning was an easy death.
At another time, he and his comrades in the scouting party, were taken prisoners, and were confined for three days in a small Methodist church with a belfry. Helping each other, the three friends climbed into the belfry and listened to the shouts of the Confederates. They heard them call that the Yanks were coming and to get the prisoners out. They were ordered out, but the boys in the belfry lay very quiet. One poor fellow below was too badly hurt to move and without a word the Rebel drove his bayonet in him. Soon the Union soldiers were in sight and the boys rejoined their regiment. After the war one of these follow prisoners went north to live the other lived in the south. Mr. Cogan’s regiment also took part in the Peninsular campaign.
