The George C. Nichols papers consist of 36 letters written by Nichols to family members during his service with the 25th Massachusetts Infantry. His letters span October 5, 1861, to February 21, 1865. The tone of Nichols' correspondence changes drastically over the three years that it represents. Early letters describe the "fun" and "good times" that he had while occupied as a guard (October 5, 1861) and as a sailor on the steamer New York (January 10, 1862). However, by the summer of 1862, news of bad food and illness dominates the correspondence, as Nichols had begun a series of hospital stays. On August 10, 1862, Nichols wrote, "I wish I was out of this damd hot place & out of this war[.] don't you tell aney one for it would go al over the street that I was sick of it…" (August 10, 1862). In letters from this point on, Nichols wrote about such topics as his treatment at Beaufort Hospital, including care by nuns (September 21, 1862), his thoughts on the progress of the war (June 21, 1863 -- "The Rebs are making a raid up into Pennsylvania. I am glad of it the North are a sleep and hav [sic] been for the last six months they dont seem to care much about the War…"), and his desire to return home. Although Nichols barely mentioned the action that he saw as a soldier, his letters clearly document his morale and medical treatment. Several sources state that George C. Nichols of the 25th Massachusetts Infantry was captured at the siege of Petersburg on May 16, 1864; unfortunately, his letters, which are concentrated around 1862-1863, never address his capture or time in prison.
George C. Nichols was born August 10, 1841, in Westminster, Massachusetts, the son of farmer Edmund Nichols and Mary Derby. He was one of at least eight children, including Clara Nichols, his younger sister and frequent correspondent, and Lyman, Francis, and Frederick Nichols, who served with the 15th Massachusetts Infantry. George Nichols enlisted on September 27, 1861, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, with Company F, 25th Massachusetts Infantry. He participated in the battles of Roanoke Island and New Bern, but experienced frequent illnesses, and was in and out of hospitals beginning in August 1862. Nichols was reportedly captured at the siege of Petersburg in May 1864, but his correspondence does not confirm this. Nichols survived the war, and died of illness on May 15, 1867.
