There seems to be a bit of age descrepency in his record but he is an interesting fellow. He raised an Independent company of infantry for 6 months service and then on July 31 1862 pleaded with Frank Blair to get his compnay commisioned for federal service. He was at Cameron Missouri at that time. He succeeded. He eventually resigned his commision as Capt of Co H due to chronic diarrhea and nephritis in 1863. He apparently regained his position while the 29th was in Tennessee in late '63 mustering out after 3 yrs service in '65. He is listed as 32 years old on his muster out roll on June 12, 1865. 27 years old on his muster in roll in Sept 1862. United States. Record and Pension Office
Title: Organization and status of Missouri troops, Union and Confederate, in service during the Civil War
Publication date: 1902 pg 234 lists Cole's Company independent company 1861 with no location given.

His SOS card is here at age 32 in 1862 which estimates his year of birth as 1830
http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00860/s00860_0946.pdf

His Clinton County Draft record in Dec. '63 has him as 25 years old or born abt 1838

Best census fit is this Missouri 1860 census that has this info on a single white Civil Engineer that splits the age difference and matches the 1835 birth of his muster in roll.

N A Cole
Age in 1860: 25
Birth Year: abt 1835
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Home in 1860: Chillicothe, Livingston, Missouri
Gender: Male
Post Office: Chillicothe

John R