Historical Rosters Database

  • {{ display(decade) }}

Robert Carter Nicholas Jr.

Roster ID 1030
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:Robert
Middle Name:Carter
Last Name:Nicholas
Suffix:Jr.
Affiliation:Class of 1861
Biography & Genealogy:There are two cadets named Robert Carter Nicholas, Jr. in the Class of 1861; they were cousins. This record: RCN JR. from Buckingham County, VA. Genealogy: Born- Nov. 7, 1838 at Virginia Mills, Buckingham Co. Va. Father- Robert Carter Nicholas of Hanover, Va.; Mother- Orrilla A. Bigelow of Peru, Vermont. Pat. Grandfather- Wilson Carey Nicholas of Hanover, Va. No information about other grandparents. Never married, no children. VMI Record: Entered VMI- Aug. 24, 1857; Resigned some time before July 1858. Civil War Record- Enlisted July 8, 1861 at Staunton Shop as 1st Lieut. in unit that became Co. D 56th Va. Regiment; Appointed Captain in Commissary Dept. Oct. 2, 1861; Acting Assistant Commissary of Brig. Gen. R.B. Garnett's Brigade Feb. 1863; In hospital in Charlottesville July 26- Aug. 7, 1863 with primary syphilis. In late summer or early fall 1863, became purchasing commissary officer at New Canton; Signed parole at Richmond, April 8, 1865. Careers: Wholesale merchant. Died- July 7, 1881 while on a train en route to White Sulphur Springs, Va.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516