EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBCorporal Charles C. Nichols, 160th New York Volunteers, Civil War Diaries with Battle Content and Description of Lincoln's Funeral Train, Plus
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
LiveOct 31, 2018
Cowan's is honored to present the Magnificent Sword Collection of William Koch in its two-day firearms, militaria, and American history auction. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (335)
- Lot Description
Corporal Charles C. Nichols, 160th New York Volunteers, Civil War Diaries with Battle Content and Description of Lincoln's Funeral Train, Plus
Lot of 7, including:
Two diaries of Corporal Charles C. Nichols, 160th New York Volunteer Infantry, 1864-1865. The 1864 diary is 3 x 6 in., with leather cover; 1865 diary is 3 x 5 in., with oilcloth-type cover that has become sticky over time. Nichols enlisted on September 6, 1862 at Attica, NY as a private. He was mustered into Company G of the 160th New York and was promoted to the rank of Corporal on August 1, 1865. He was mustered out on November 14, 1865 in Savannah, GA.
Most of the first part of the 1864 diary consists of drills, guard duty, fatigue duty, dress parades. The camp is two miles below New Iberia (LA). Out of the ordinary, February 3, 1864: " Our Co. was vaccinated this morning ." He does not elaborate, but likely for smallpox. Also noteworthy in his mind, on February 15, they had soft bread. February 17 saw his 26th birthday. By mid-March they were on the move to New Iberia, then Vermillion Bayou to Opelousas (3-31). Crossed the Cane River after several more days of marching. Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, LA, occurred on April 8, 1864; then Pleasant Hill, LA, April 9 [both part of Red River Campaign]. April 22 he describes more fighting, and on the 30 he is part of a detail to construct pontoon bridges over the Red River.
May 4 they arrested 2 " jayhawkers " who " wished to pass out of our lines ." More fighting May 15-16; on the 19th they cross the Atchafalaya River, reaching the Mississippi two days later. Private Nichols becomes ill about this time and is down sporadically with a fever. In July he mentions chills.
July 4 they were in Algiers. July 9 - 11 the various companies were loaded on steamers headed to reinforce troops in the Shenandoah Valley. They arrived at [Fortress] Monroe on the 18th and started up the James River the following day. Later on the 19th they landed at Bermuda Hundred. More troops kept arriving over the following few days.
August 7 they march to Harpers Ferry, then on the 10th to Charlestown toward Berryville, then to Middletown. On the 14th he notes that a rebel spy was hung near the camp. The 16th they went to Winchester, then back to Berryville. September 3, they saw heavy firing [Battle of Berryville]. September 19 at Opequan, VA their lieutenant was killed along with 14 others; 45 were wounded; 21 missing.
October 6th they moved to New Market. The rebels attacked at daylight on the 19th at the camp near Strasburg. On the 20th the Brigade lost over 400. There is sporadic firing for weeks. Cedar Creek, VA, October 19. Finally, December 13, Nichols writes: " All quiet in the Shenandoah Valley ." Unfortunately it turned cold, and he notes that on the 21st one man in the brigade froze to death.
The dawn of a new year saw more of the same - cold, snowy, inactive. Boredom was setting in. By the end of February, some guerrilla skirmishing was going on, but no full battles. On April 2, he mentions the celebration because of the victory at Petersburg, then the celebrations on the 10th over Grant's victory. The telegraph messages and newspaper reports of Lincoln's assassination and the attack on Sewall and others take up the 15th and 16th. The unit arrived in Washington on the 21st, passing the train with Lincoln's body on it. News that Booth had been caught is mentioned on the 27th.
May 23 saw the Grand Review in the nation's capital. " A beautiful day. A day long to be remembered by thousands of Soldiers. The grandest sight I ever saw. The People of Washington gave the Soldiers a warm welcome. The Streets were crowded for miles, Stars & stripes were plenty across the streets. Many cheered our Regt. We got back to Camp at 4 PM very tired ..."
Then on the 30th they learned they were being sent to Savannah. " The men are all fighting mad ." They did not arrive there for another month. He mentions that it is a nice town, but very warm. July 24 someone died of sun stroke in the brigade. The next few days were spent shooting alligators, killing rattle snakes (another guy was bitten by one) and water moccasins.
Finally on November 14: " Pleasant. This is a happy day to Nichols. I am discharged & tomorrow I will see home & friends. I am no soldier but a citizen of the United States. .."
The diaries are accompanied by two passes, dated July 22, 1865 and September 24, 1865, and a cabinet card with backmark of M.T. Hills, Attica, NY. The subject is not identified, but is presumed to be Charles Nichols.Photo with some light surface soil. Diaries as expected. Cover on 1865 rough.Condition
- Shipping Info
-
Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful Bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial. - If there is no shipping amount on listed your invoice, you will need to make arrangements to pick up or ship your purchase through an alternative shipping company. Our shipping department can be contacted at 513.871.1670 (ext. 219) or email shipping@cowans.com. - Shipping charges include insurance for your order while in transit. If you have private insurance we will adjust your charge to include only packing and shipping. - Please allow 14 – 21 days after payment to package and ship your purchase as carefully as possible.
-
- Buyer's Premium
