James Nichols Papers

Six letters from Amos R. Nichols, Jr. to James Nichols who was living in Saco, Maine at the time. Most of the letters describe Amos living in San Francisco, California and sending money home to James.

Various correspondence between members of the Nichols family or from miscellaneous senders to James.

Letters from James to his wife and an unnamed daughter from his early days in the 8th New Hampshire. Includes 2 letters from Camp Currier in Manchester, New Hampshire, 2 letters from Fort Independence in Boston, Massachusetts, and a letter from the ship E. Wilder Farley.

Letters from James to Abby from the ship E. Wilder Farley and his early days at Ship Island, Mississippi. 4 letters have been threaded together, suggesting they may have been sent or received at the same time.

Letters from James to Abby describing his post in the South with the 8th New Hampshire. Includes scenic descriptions of the journey to Lake Pontchartrain. Also details James being assigned to cooking duty for the camp hospital.

Letters from James to Abby checking on the health of the family at home. James reports on the health of the “Rochester boys.” One letter mentions the possibility of a “Gen. Sherman” taking control of the division in New Orleans.

Letters from James to Abby. Letters mention Company G movements from Camp Parapet to Jefferson, Louisiana, then to Camp Stevens in District LaFourche, Louisiana. James remains a hospital cook through this time.

James is moved to Baton Rouge, describing the city as being like a New England city. He is assigned to become cook for Captain Huse of Company G, which results in a pay raise. Abby asks James in one letter if his view on slavery has changed, or if the rumor is a “copperhead lie.”

Abby asks how James defends himself after giving up his gun for cooking utensils. On April 13, James was wounded during the Battle of Fort Bisland, as he writes about in a letter dated April 18th. In another letter, James blames Democrats for keeping the war going and tells Abby he should hold them responsible if he is killed.

There is a significant delay in Abby receiving letters from James. Abby continued to write and describes her attempts to remain hopeful about James coming home alive. Abby also encourages James not to re-enlist. James writes to Abby about the recent siege at Port Hudson.

Letters between James and Abby, and James and his daughter, Amanda. Abby mentions her trouble dealing with the summer heat in Rochester. James writes about life at Port Hudson, before returning to Baton Rouge later in the month.

In the first letter, Abby mentions to James a rush on newspapers due to the Second Battle of Fort Sumter. James writes about his regiment preparing for a move to Texas, which is eventually abandoned. Several aspects of life on the Nichols farm are mentioned in letters in this folder as well.

In letters to Abby, James describes his idea of re-enlisting, though only after visiting home on leave and discussing the matter with her. He also writes of the designation of the unit being changed to 2nd New Hampshire Cavalry. In a Christmastime letter, Abby describes Christmas dinner at the Nichols home.

James promises in a letter to Abby that he will not make a final decision on re-enlisting until after he returns home to discuss, even though several other Rochester men had already done so. Abby is “surprised and grieved” to learn James is interested in re-enlisting. Other topics of mention include the contents of a care package sent from Abby to James and the postage rate for packages recently passed by Congress.

Several topics of interest are mentioned in letters between James and Abby. Abby describes a typical winter dinner, being asked by neighbors to collect money for their oxen while they are away, Fast Day sports, and her realization that night is “darkest just before the day” during a long delay in letters from James. James details his participation in the Red River Campaign, and the situation upon the death of a comrade.

James describes in a letter to Abby his participation in July 4th celebrations in New Orleans. He also writes about the upcoming 1864 election and his choice for President. He hopes an Abraham Lincoln re-election will “strike terror” in the hearts of the Rebels, allowing the Union to simply march in and take the “Babalon of Slavery.” James also becomes ill for a time, but recovers and moves with the regiment to Natchez, Mississippi.

Abby writes of preparations for the upcoming winter, including harvesting corn and apples and storing them. James mentions his vote for Lincoln in the election and his time in the service being up shortly.

The last of the letters from the war between James and Abby. Describe James being eager to go home and the process of his mustering out and trip home.

Three letter fragments or undated letters between James and Abby. One letter is likely from November, 1864 as it mentions a torch-lit procession being held in honor of Lincoln’s re-election.

Four letters from Amanda to mother Abby after she has left the family household, 1886.

16 Envelopes to Abby, postmarked in 1862.

9 Envelopes to Abby, postmarked in 1863

15 Envelopes to Abby, postmarked in 1864.

23 Envelopes to Abby with incomplete or unrecognizable postmarks.

5 Envelopes to James, postmarked 1887 or with unrecognizable postmarks.

8 miscellaneous paper items. Includes the April 1st, 1864 edition of the Natchitoches Union newspaper, 1864 election ephemera, newspaper clippings and various other items.