Gallery: Actions in the fall of 1861 and early 1862
Cased Dimmick Pistol of Frederic Charles Nichols
This wooden box is lined in green velvet; the lid has a circular medallion engraved “F. C. Nichols 1st Eng. Mo Vols.” The box contains a .38 caliber Dimmick pistol, brass powder flask with eagle on each side; L-shaped pistol tool, bullet mold, packaged ammunition, and an oil can with “James Dixon & Sons Sheffield” stamped on the bottom.
Nichols, a native of Canada, served in the Mexican-American War. He was commissioned a captain in the 13th Missouri (later the 25th Missouri) Infantry in June 1861, and was promoted to major the following April. Nichols was captured at the Battle of Lexington on September 20, 1861 and held as a prisoner of war. He was paroled on September 25 and returned to the 25th Missouri Infantry. He transferred to the 1st Missouri Engineers in February 1864, and was given brevet promotions to lieutenant colonel and colonel of volunteers in March 1865 for “gallant and meritorious service” during the Civil War. Mustered out in March 1866, he became an officer in the Regular Army and retired with the rank of captain in 1887.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30137
