Robert Dorsey Coale

Coale then became a professor of Chemistry and Toxicology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the Dean of the University for 18 years since he served two terms.^[5] During this time, while he was described as being kind and generous, he was also known for not speaking as much which some mistook for coldness. Due to this, Coale often performed charitable activities anonymously.^[3]

When the Spanish–American War broke out, Coale volunteered to become Colonel of the 5th Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment which was assembled at Pimlico, Maryland on April 25, 1898.^[6] However, there were competition between the volunteer regiments over which regiments would see active combat against the Spanish forces. When the 5th Maryland was destined to not be among the chosen volunteer regiments of General William Shafter's V Army Corps, desperate, Coale wrote to General William H. Wilmer, urging that the regiment "be sent to Puerto Rico as its last opportunity to see active service." but before the regiment could see any action, an armistice was signed between the United States and Spain, ending the war. Coale along with his regiment returned to Maryland on October 24 and all members were discharged by December 5, 1898.^[7]