Terry,
Don't know if this helps, but I believe Coffee was gone and replaced by the time the first muster for the 6th was recorded in late December 62. The same goes with George Nichols, who was elected Major of the regiment but has no CSR with the 6th. I've always had the understanding that Coffee was elected Colonel of the regiment in Sep 62 when it was mustered into Confederate service. I don't know if Confederate officers had to wait on "Federal recognition" as officers do today. If so he would have had about a month to get it before Hindman had him arrested and replaced.