Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Captain Henry Clay Nichols received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 9, 1865 at Fort Blakely, Alabama during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 73d U.S. Colored Infantry. Nichols was 33 years old.
18 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 3, 1897, 32 years after the action.
Nichols was born on March 30, 1832 in Brandon, Rutland County, Vermont. His Medal of Honor is credited to St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont. Nichols died on February 10, 1904 in Coventry, Vermont, at the age of 71. He is buried at Coventry Cemetery in Coventry, Vermont.
Nichols is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 47 credited to Vermont.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Voluntarily made a reconnaissance in advance of the line held by his regiment and, under a heavy fire, obtained information of great value.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- March 30, 1832Born in Brandon, Rutland County, Vermont
- April 9, 1865Act of valor — Fort Blakely, AlabamaAge 33. Company E, 73d U.S. Colored Infantry
- August 3, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- February 10, 1904Died in Coventry, VermontAge 71.
- Resting placeCoventry CemeteryCoventry, Vermont
