This photograph of John Nichols was taken while he was a prisoner; he is shown seated with leg irons attached to a ball and chain. The leg of a guard and a revolver are visible on left side of photo; it is inscribed “John Nichols. Executed at Jefferson City Mo. Oct. 30th 1863” on the bottom. Written on the back are details of his attempted escape, wounding, confinement and execution. This reads in part:
“He said as the rope was adjusted around his neck. I will show them how a Confederate Soldier can die. He exhibited no particular emotion during the term of his confinement, or at his execution.”
John Nichols was born on August 23, 1841, in Mercer County, Kentucky; his parents moved the family to Pettis County, Missouri the same year. In 1862, Nichols, along with James Johnson became one of the smallest guerrilla bands operating in northwest Missouri. They robbed isolated farmsteads and travelers in east Johnson and west Pettis Counties during the autumn of 1862 and the winter of 1862-63. The continued presence of the two in the region upset Union authorities in Sedalia so much they issued a “shoot on sight” order against them. Johnson was captured in January 1863; Nichols was captured in Morgan County on April 25, 1863. Nichols was tried by a military tribunal, found guilty and sentenced to hang. His sentence was studied and confirmed by Missouri Governor Hamilton Gamble and President Lincoln, both of whom agreed that his trial was fair and his conviction based on credible evidence. The sentence was carried out on October 30, 1863.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30211
