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THBCSA 2nd Lt. George A. Nichols, 1st Georgia Infantry, ALS Referencing the Battle of Altamaha Bridge
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Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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About Auction
LiveJun 13, 2014 - Jun 14, 2014
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
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- Lot Description
ALS from George A. Nichols (also identified in some records as Nicoll), to unknown recipient. Date unknown. Acquired from a North Georgia estate.
George A. Nichols was born in Savannah, Chatham County, GA about 1832. He was the son of John, a prominent citizen and US District Court Judge in Savannah, and Eliza Nicoll. While some historic records identify him as George A. Nicoll, his military records show his name to be George A. Nichols.
Initially, Nichols was commissioned into "C" Co. of the Georgia 1st Infantry, May 30, 1861 as a Junior 2nd Lieutenant. This was one of many assignments for Nichols who served in Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery units. During his military career, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain. He served in at least four other Georgia military units. Nichols’ entire service was spent in the Savannah area. He was captured by Union forces at the end of 1864 and held as a POW in Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island, DE. He was released in June 1865.
Nichols survived the war and returned to Savannah where he resumed civilian work as an engineer. Later he became an officer of the Central Railroad Bank and Trust Company. Nichols developed Tuberculosis in the latter half of the 1870s and succumbed to the illness May 26, 1879.
This particular letter concerns the Battle of Altamaha Bridge (alternately the Battle for the Doctortown Railroad Trestle). The engagement was fought December 19, 1864, in Wayne County, GA as part of Sherman’s March to the Sea. Confederate forces temporarily blocked Sherman’s effort to destroy a vital railroad bridge over the Ogeechee River, keeping open Confederate supply lines to Savannah. Sherman used other alternatives to take Savannah on December 20.
Nichols was running trains during the battle and was in the thick of the hostilities. In the letter, he writes: The Enemy encompasses my trains on every side. The shells are bursting over me and my trains, but like lightning we rush [free]. I…[am] expecting every moment to be my last. As the train approached the Ogeechee River Bridge, they found that supporting timbers had been cut and that crossing could cause collapse…The two soldiers appointed as my guard jump off the train and take to the swamp. Risking death, Nichols and the train’s Engineer decided to…back [up] 100 yards [get a running start] and risk getting over…better that we go down than be captured… with the Engineer observing…If you are ready to die for the Cause, so am I. They succeeded in their crossing.
Condition
ALS, handwritten in ink. Paper size is 7.5 X 9.5 in. Letter in good condition overall.
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