COFFIN, Charles Carleton, author, born in Boscawen, N. li., 26 July, 1823. He worked on his father's farm till he was of age. His means of education were limited, but he was so desirous to acquire knowledge that he studied at night. He worked as a civil engineer from 1845 till 1848, and then bought a farm, but abandoned it on account of failing health. He then gave his attention to telegraphy, constructed the time line between Harvard observatory and Boston, in 1849, and, when in charge of the Boston telegraphic fire-alarm, sent out the first signal over the system, 29 April, 1852. After writing for some of the New Hampshire papers, he began contributing to the Boston press in 1851, spending much time upon his articles, some of which he rewrote ten times before sending them to the printer. From 1855 till 1860 he held various places on the Boston "Journal," the "Atlas," and the "Traveller." When the civil war began, Mr. Coffin became war-correspondent for the "Journal," writing under the pen-name of "Carle-ton." He witnessed many important battles, and was in almost every engagement from the Wilderness to the taking of Richmond, often rendering important service to the military authorities by his knowledge of engineering. He was also the "Journal's" correspondent during the Prusso-Austrian war of 1866, and at its completion made the circuit of the world, returning part of the way from San Francisco by stage, the Pacific railroad not being completed. During his travels, which lasted two and a half years, Mr. Coffin wrote a weekly letter to the Boston "Journal." He has lectured before the Lowell institute, and was for years a popular lyceum lecturer. He has also appeared several times before congressional committees, to present arguments on the labor question. He has been for some time a resident of Boston, and was a member of the Massachusetts legislature in 1884 and 1885, serving on important committees. He has published "The Great Commercial Prize," advocating the construction of a railway over the Northern Pacific route (1858); "Days and Nights on the Battle-Field" (Boston, 1864); "Following the Flag" and "Winning His Way," a story (1865); "Four Years of Fighting" (1866); "Our New Way Round the World" (1869); "The Seat of Empire" (1870); "Caleb Krinkle. a Story of American Life" (1875) : "History of Boscawen" (1877); " Boys of '76" (New York, 1879); "Story of Liberty" (1878); "Old Times in the Colonies" (1880); " Life of Garfield" (Boston, 1880); "Building the Nation" (New York, 1883); and " Drum-Beat of the Nation," the first volume of a series (1887).