During the Spanish–American War he led the expedition which captured the batteries at Cavite (2 May 1898) and at Isla Grande, Subic Bay (7 July) and commanded the protected cruiser Raleigh during the Battle of Manila Bay on 1 May 1898.

[4] Coghlan served as commandant of the New York Navy Yard from 1 October 1904 to 30 May 1907.

After retirement, Coghlan served as president of the Debenture Corporation on Wall Street in New York City.

[2] On 31 October 1908, he served as Grand Marshal of a parade of 90,000 businessmen in support of Republican candidates William Howard Taft and James S.

[5] Less than two months later, Coghlan died in the Sutton Manor district of New Rochelle, New York, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.