Andrew Jackson Nickell was my great-great-grandfather. During the Civil War, Andrew proudly served with the 114th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.) Company E. During his service to the Federal cause, he participated in the Vicksburg Campaign and part of the Siege of Vicksburg. Andrew departed "this mortal life" aboard the Federal hospital ship U.S.S. January on June 16, 1863 just eighteen days before Vicksburg's surrender on July 4, 1863. He left behind his wife, Isabel Ramey Nickell and three (soon to be four) young children. Their oldest child, Elias Dolison "Doc" Nickell (1857-1935) was my great-grandfather.

Isabel "Belle" saved roughly thirty letters written by Andrew during his service and tenure as a Federal soldier. For over 140 years, my Nickell family has carefully preserved Andrew's letters that are now in my custodianship. These priceless letters represent a Federal soldier's first person account or Civil War Journal. This web page is created as a tribute to Andrew Jackson Nickell, and to the memory of all Civil War veterans both Union and Confederate. These letters have also been assembled in a comb bound interpretive and narrative book now available for distribution.

Andrew was the fifth generation of the Scots-Irish Nickell's in America. Andrew's first American ancestor was John Nickell who emigrated from County Tyrone (Northern) Ireland (near Gortin) in the 1740's, settling in Virginia's western frontier in what is now Greenbrier and Monroe Counties, West Virginia. Two of Andrew's ancestors, his great-grandfather, Thomas Nickell and a great-great uncle, Isaac Nickell, fought in Lord Dunmore's War and at the Battle of Point Pleasant. This frontier engagement of the American Revolution served to end Indian resistance along the colonial frontier.

Andrew's parents, Robert and Nancy Ann Morehead Nickell were born and raised in the rugged frontier region of (West) Virginia. They relocated to Jackson County, Ohio soon after the opening of the Northwest Territories in the 1820's. Robert and Nancy Ann purchased eighty acres of land in Richland Township, and in 1850 this land became part of Vinton County, Ohio. The land remains in the Nickell family today.

Andrew was born in 1828 and raised in Richland Township, Vinton County, Ohio. Andrew and Isabel were married November 1856. Sometime after the birth of their first child in 1857 (Elias Dolison "Doc" Nickell, my great-grandfather) and prior to the Civil War they left their native Vinton County and relocated two counties west to Pickaway County, Ohio, south of Columbus. Family legend suggests that while Andrew and his two older brothers, John Francis Nickell (1822-1880) and Robert Calvary Nickell/Nickle* (1826-1892), enlisted to support the Union, their father, Robert, remained sympathetic to the Southern cause.

Andrew's letters to Isabel have been divided into seven chronological themes and presented below as chapters. Three additional chapters are included to provide supplemental interpretive information.

* Andrew's older brother Robert Calvary Nickell/Nickle moved to Madison County, Iowa prior to the Civil War. Robert enlisted in the 39th Iowa Infantry, Company F, holding the rank of Sergeant. Andrew and Isabel must have thought well of Robert Calvary, as they named their second son Robert Calvary as well (younger brother to my Elias "Doc" Nickell).

114th O.V.I Monument at Vicksburg N.M.P. "To His Beloved Wife and Children" THE CIVIL WAR JOURNAL OF ANDREW JACKSON NICKELL (Please click on any "chapter" link below to read letters from Andrew’s "CIVIL WAR JOURNAL") I. Andrew Becomes A Soldier: One of the best there ever was! (9/17/1862-11/17/1862) II. Headed South: They are tearing up notes. (12/1/1862-12/21/1862) III. The First Fights: On to Vicksburg! (1/13/1863-2/15/1863) IV. Laying In Camp: Too low and swampy. (2/23/1863-2/27/1863) Letter #14 - 2/27/1863 is an historically informational letter! V. Milliken's Bend: Not so wet as Young's Point. (3/19/1863-4/1/1863) VI. Last Letters: The diarrhea makes me feel weak. (4/7/1863-4/13/1863) VII. Captain Abraham: Put off this mortal life. (7/12/1863-8/26/1863) VIII. From An Unknown Writer: Anxious to get north. IX. Epilogue: The 114th O.V.I.; Isabella Ramey Nickell. X. Honoring Other Civil War Ancestors: John Ogan (56th OH); Edward Culver (133rd IL); Robert E. Lee (Army of Ntn VA) * The above are links to actual journal letters, transcribed exactly as written by Andrew Jackson Nickell, a Federal Civil War soldier from southern Ohio and active Vicksburg combatant. Please visit often. Hope that you enjoy this site! (Updated 01/25/2008). Text from these letters/chapters/pages may not be copied, used or reprinted without written permission. Abraham Lincoln Springfield - 1860 As a native son of Springfield, Illinois and an Eagle Scout in the Abraham Lincoln Council, I grew up in Mr. Lincoln's hometown. This central Illinois community remains rich in Lincoln heritage. This environment served to develop my interest in Lincoln and the Civil War. Here are a few of my favorite Lincoln and Civil War websites: A. Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum (ALPLM)-A Must See! Lincoln Home NHS Homepage Springfield, IL - The Land of Lincoln - "Virtual Reality" The Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln Assassination - Fascinating accounts! Abraham Lincoln Online Ohio in the Civil War - An informational resource! Diaries of Elias D. Moore - A tribute to Andrew's 114th OVI! Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). O Captain! My Captain! - Walt Whitman's Tribute to the Fallen President Abraham Lincoln Council - Boy Scouts of America ( Eagle Scout - Class of 1972 )

Please Sign Andrew's Guestbook (New 10/6/2003)

View Andrew's Guestbook

Please send me an email

| I. Andrew Becomes a Soldier... | II. Headed South... | III. The First Fights... |
| IV. Laying In Camp... | V. Milliken's Bend | VI. Last Letters... | VII. Captain Abraham... |
| VIII. From An Unknown Writer... | IX. Epilogue... | X. Honoring Other Civil War Ancestors... |

Return to the top of this page:
"THE CIVIL WAR JOURNAL OF ANDREW JACKSON NICKELL (1828-1863)"

You are the visitor since April 21, 1999
Updated January 25, 2008