- Joined
- Jan 16, 2015
Company G began the morning of July 2 as the largest company in the 124th New York regiment, under the command of Captain Isaac Nicoll. By the end of the day, the company was "a corporal's guard in charge of a corporal," and Isaac lay dead, wedged between two rocks just west of Devil's Den, at the farthest point reached by the regiment in the now famous "triangular field."
Isaac Nicoll was born in New York City on February 14, 1840, the son of John and Elizabeth (nee White) Nicoll. When Isaac was still a toddler, John purchased a farm about 50 miles north of the city, near the small towns of Blooming Grove and Washingtonville in Orange County, New York. It was a good place for a boy to grow up, but at the age of 15 Isaac tragically lost his mother. Within a few years he became involved in the mercantile business, which took him back to New York City to live and work. He responded to the call of arms in the fall of 1862, returning to Orange County to raise a company in the 124th New York, the latter being proudly known as the "Orange Blossoms." The following summer Isaac was moving through Maryland on his way to Pennsylvania. During an idle period on June 21, he took out his Testament, and reflecting on the battle that would surely come, wrote in it, "In case I am killed and my body left on the field, the finder of this Testament will please send it to my father, John Nicoll, Blooming Grove, Orange county, N. York, and confer a great favor on me. Isaac Nicoll, Capt. Co. G. 124th Regt. N. Y. State."
On the second day at Gettysburg, Isaac's brigade took position along Houck's ridge, just north of Devil's Den. It was around 4:20 p.m. when the 1st Texas suddenly appeared at the western foot of the ridge, taking cover behind a wall that formed a side of a triangular field. The Confederates were kept back for the moment, but exerted increasing pressure. At about 5 p.m., the 124th was ordered to take the offensive. They charged forward, throwing the Texans off guard. Unfortunately for the 124th, at that moment Brig. Gen. Benning's brigade of Georgians was arriving on the scene.
Ransom W. Wood was born around 1843, a resident of Muscogee County, Georgia, which was dominated by the city of Columbus, an important industrial center of the South. On May 23, 1861 he enlisted as a private in "The Southern Guards," which became Company I of the 20th Georgia. Moving steadily up through the ranks, Ransom was elected as 2nd Lieutenant on January 27, 1862. He survived a wound at Malvern Hill, and exactly one year later found him approaching the outskirts of Gettysburg. Late on the afternoon of July 2, Ransom moved out with his brigade to attack the Federal left. As they approached Devil's Den and took fire, they replied until a Confederate color bearer in their front began waving his flag – that of the 1st Texas, which now rallied and joined the oncoming 15th, 20th and 17th Georgia. Much of their collective attention was directed at the exposed 124th New York, now heavily outnumbered and within easy range.
Three minie balls in quick succession struck Isaac Nicoll, whose life quickly ebbed away. Benning's Georgians went on to clear the Den, but were stopped by a heavy Federal presence on Little Round Top across the valley. The fighting raged until dark. The next day the Georgians consolidated their position, some taking time to examine the ground they had captured. Ransom Wood came across Isaac's body and pocketed his Testament.
On July 6, during the retreat, Ransom and a group of his fellow officers found food and hospitality at the residence of George and Nancy Hoover, on the road to Hagerstown, two miles south of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, near the Maryland border. As the officers were discussing the recent great battle, Ransom pulled out the captured Testament and passed it around. One of his comrades read Isaac's inscription and suggested that his final request be observed. Nancy promised that she would see to it. It was not long before a response came from John Nicoll:
Blooming Grove, July 24th, 1863
Mr. George Hoover. Dear Sir: - The Testament of my dear departed son, which you did me the favor of sending to me, came by due course of mail. It is the precious relic of a dearly loved and highly honored son. In looking over its pages I discover memorandums of periods up to the day previous to his death, which were devoted (notwithstanding the long marches and fatigue attending them) to its perusal. It is consoling to me to discover from scored passages that he was not an inattentive reader, that the great truths of revelation were accepted and impressed upon his mind. This Testament, conveyed by his own hand, in view of the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of preparation, constitutes to me its greatest value. I have great reason to hope that his departed spirit is now with his sainted mother who loved him so well on earth, there to enjoy with her an eternity of bliss. You can therefore appreciate the value I place upon this book – the cherished companion of his weary marches and lonely hours. As everything relating to my dear boy is interesting at this time, will you please inform me if Lieut. Wood made any other disclosures respecting the effects he found upon the body of Captain Nicoll, and what disposition he calculated to make of them – in fact anything you heard or saw in your interview with him.
On the eve of Captain Nicoll's departure with his regiment, which was raised in this county, the ladies of this town presented him with a handsome sword. It was not a formal presentation, simply accompanied with a letter. This was in the month of September last. If that sword could be recovered I would place a much higher value upon it than its intrinsic worth. I have relatives living in Georgia, and if this uncalled for and wicked rebellion is put down, of which there is every prospect of its being speedily done, I intend to make an effort to rescue it.
My son was twenty-three years old at the time of his death; was born in the city of New York. I purchased the farm I now occupy in 1843, which has been his home ever since, with the exception of two or three years he spent in the city engaged in mercantile business. At the call of President Lincoln for three hundred thousand men, he at once responded by raising a company in this town. The regiment left as I have before remarked, in September last. Since then he has been attached to the army of the Potomac; was engaged in the disastrous attack of Burnside on Fredericksburg; also with Hooker at Chancellorsville, in which he lost twenty-five out of sixty men he led into action. His regiment accompanied the cavalry attack at Aldie in which he lost some of his men. Gettysburg closed his military and mortal career. It was there he yielded his life, a youthful, willing gift upon the altar of his country. He was pierced by three balls – one in his neck, one in his shoulder and one in his breast. He lived but three minutes after receiving these injuries. The regiment was making a charge at the time, was repulsed with the loss of its Colonel and Major killed, and Lieut. Col. wounded, which accounts for his body being left on the field. The rebels had possession of it until the next day, when the ground was recovered. A brother officer found his body, buried where it fell, erected a board at its head, with his name, regiment and company inscribed upon it. I have had it since taken up, but owing to the Government monopolizing the transportation, it proved ineffectual, and we were under the necessity of re-interring it until a more favorable opportunity offers for its removal.
When I commenced this letter it was with the intention of simply, in suitable terms, to acknowledge the receipt of the book you had the kindness and heart to send me. My mind is constantly dwelling upon my dear son – "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," not always with discretion, as in this case, addressing a stranger. Bear with me, and believe me to be your greatly obliged friend. John Nicoll
Ransom Wood survived the war as a 1st Lieutenant. Isaac Nicoll now lies at rest in the Washingtonville Cemetery. It is reported that his Testament survives as a cherished family relic.
Sources:
- Jacob Hoke, Historical Reminiscences of the War; or, Incidents Which Transpired in and About Chambersburg, During the War of the Rebellion (Chambersburg, PA: M. A. Foltz, Printer and Publisher, 1884) pp. 99-100
-Compiled Service Record, Ransom W. Wood. Wood was transferred to the Invalid Corps in early 1865.
-Col. Charles H. Weygant, New York at Gettysburg, III:871
-https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39523713/isaac-nicoll
-https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39525269/elizabeth-howell-nicoll
Isaac Nicoll was born in New York City on February 14, 1840, the son of John and Elizabeth (nee White) Nicoll. When Isaac was still a toddler, John purchased a farm about 50 miles north of the city, near the small towns of Blooming Grove and Washingtonville in Orange County, New York. It was a good place for a boy to grow up, but at the age of 15 Isaac tragically lost his mother. Within a few years he became involved in the mercantile business, which took him back to New York City to live and work. He responded to the call of arms in the fall of 1862, returning to Orange County to raise a company in the 124th New York, the latter being proudly known as the "Orange Blossoms." The following summer Isaac was moving through Maryland on his way to Pennsylvania. During an idle period on June 21, he took out his Testament, and reflecting on the battle that would surely come, wrote in it, "In case I am killed and my body left on the field, the finder of this Testament will please send it to my father, John Nicoll, Blooming Grove, Orange county, N. York, and confer a great favor on me. Isaac Nicoll, Capt. Co. G. 124th Regt. N. Y. State."
On the second day at Gettysburg, Isaac's brigade took position along Houck's ridge, just north of Devil's Den. It was around 4:20 p.m. when the 1st Texas suddenly appeared at the western foot of the ridge, taking cover behind a wall that formed a side of a triangular field. The Confederates were kept back for the moment, but exerted increasing pressure. At about 5 p.m., the 124th was ordered to take the offensive. They charged forward, throwing the Texans off guard. Unfortunately for the 124th, at that moment Brig. Gen. Benning's brigade of Georgians was arriving on the scene.
Ransom W. Wood was born around 1843, a resident of Muscogee County, Georgia, which was dominated by the city of Columbus, an important industrial center of the South. On May 23, 1861 he enlisted as a private in "The Southern Guards," which became Company I of the 20th Georgia. Moving steadily up through the ranks, Ransom was elected as 2nd Lieutenant on January 27, 1862. He survived a wound at Malvern Hill, and exactly one year later found him approaching the outskirts of Gettysburg. Late on the afternoon of July 2, Ransom moved out with his brigade to attack the Federal left. As they approached Devil's Den and took fire, they replied until a Confederate color bearer in their front began waving his flag – that of the 1st Texas, which now rallied and joined the oncoming 15th, 20th and 17th Georgia. Much of their collective attention was directed at the exposed 124th New York, now heavily outnumbered and within easy range.
Three minie balls in quick succession struck Isaac Nicoll, whose life quickly ebbed away. Benning's Georgians went on to clear the Den, but were stopped by a heavy Federal presence on Little Round Top across the valley. The fighting raged until dark. The next day the Georgians consolidated their position, some taking time to examine the ground they had captured. Ransom Wood came across Isaac's body and pocketed his Testament.
On July 6, during the retreat, Ransom and a group of his fellow officers found food and hospitality at the residence of George and Nancy Hoover, on the road to Hagerstown, two miles south of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, near the Maryland border. As the officers were discussing the recent great battle, Ransom pulled out the captured Testament and passed it around. One of his comrades read Isaac's inscription and suggested that his final request be observed. Nancy promised that she would see to it. It was not long before a response came from John Nicoll:
Blooming Grove, July 24th, 1863
Mr. George Hoover. Dear Sir: - The Testament of my dear departed son, which you did me the favor of sending to me, came by due course of mail. It is the precious relic of a dearly loved and highly honored son. In looking over its pages I discover memorandums of periods up to the day previous to his death, which were devoted (notwithstanding the long marches and fatigue attending them) to its perusal. It is consoling to me to discover from scored passages that he was not an inattentive reader, that the great truths of revelation were accepted and impressed upon his mind. This Testament, conveyed by his own hand, in view of the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of preparation, constitutes to me its greatest value. I have great reason to hope that his departed spirit is now with his sainted mother who loved him so well on earth, there to enjoy with her an eternity of bliss. You can therefore appreciate the value I place upon this book – the cherished companion of his weary marches and lonely hours. As everything relating to my dear boy is interesting at this time, will you please inform me if Lieut. Wood made any other disclosures respecting the effects he found upon the body of Captain Nicoll, and what disposition he calculated to make of them – in fact anything you heard or saw in your interview with him.
On the eve of Captain Nicoll's departure with his regiment, which was raised in this county, the ladies of this town presented him with a handsome sword. It was not a formal presentation, simply accompanied with a letter. This was in the month of September last. If that sword could be recovered I would place a much higher value upon it than its intrinsic worth. I have relatives living in Georgia, and if this uncalled for and wicked rebellion is put down, of which there is every prospect of its being speedily done, I intend to make an effort to rescue it.
My son was twenty-three years old at the time of his death; was born in the city of New York. I purchased the farm I now occupy in 1843, which has been his home ever since, with the exception of two or three years he spent in the city engaged in mercantile business. At the call of President Lincoln for three hundred thousand men, he at once responded by raising a company in this town. The regiment left as I have before remarked, in September last. Since then he has been attached to the army of the Potomac; was engaged in the disastrous attack of Burnside on Fredericksburg; also with Hooker at Chancellorsville, in which he lost twenty-five out of sixty men he led into action. His regiment accompanied the cavalry attack at Aldie in which he lost some of his men. Gettysburg closed his military and mortal career. It was there he yielded his life, a youthful, willing gift upon the altar of his country. He was pierced by three balls – one in his neck, one in his shoulder and one in his breast. He lived but three minutes after receiving these injuries. The regiment was making a charge at the time, was repulsed with the loss of its Colonel and Major killed, and Lieut. Col. wounded, which accounts for his body being left on the field. The rebels had possession of it until the next day, when the ground was recovered. A brother officer found his body, buried where it fell, erected a board at its head, with his name, regiment and company inscribed upon it. I have had it since taken up, but owing to the Government monopolizing the transportation, it proved ineffectual, and we were under the necessity of re-interring it until a more favorable opportunity offers for its removal.
When I commenced this letter it was with the intention of simply, in suitable terms, to acknowledge the receipt of the book you had the kindness and heart to send me. My mind is constantly dwelling upon my dear son – "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," not always with discretion, as in this case, addressing a stranger. Bear with me, and believe me to be your greatly obliged friend. John Nicoll
Ransom Wood survived the war as a 1st Lieutenant. Isaac Nicoll now lies at rest in the Washingtonville Cemetery. It is reported that his Testament survives as a cherished family relic.
Sources:
- Jacob Hoke, Historical Reminiscences of the War; or, Incidents Which Transpired in and About Chambersburg, During the War of the Rebellion (Chambersburg, PA: M. A. Foltz, Printer and Publisher, 1884) pp. 99-100
-Compiled Service Record, Ransom W. Wood. Wood was transferred to the Invalid Corps in early 1865.
-Col. Charles H. Weygant, New York at Gettysburg, III:871
-https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39523713/isaac-nicoll
-https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39525269/elizabeth-howell-nicoll
Bringing the