Historical Rosters Database

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Nicholas Dawson

Roster ID 456
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:Nicholas
Middle Name:
Last Name:Dawson
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1856
Biography & Genealogy:Nicholas Dawson, Class of 1856: Genealogy: Born- April 17, 1836, in "Springdale" Loudoun Co., Va. Father- Samuel Dawson; Mother- Sarah Baynes. Grandparents- unknown. Married- Virginia Cooper; 1st child- Samuel Dawson; 2nd- Philip Dawson; 3rd- Maria Eastville. Matriculated from Loudon County, VA. At VMI 3 1/2 months. Military Record: enlisted June 8, 1861 at Potomac Furnace as a Private with Company A, 7th Virginia Cavalry; re-enlisted for war on June 8, 1862 (some records show other dates); often detached from unit in 1862 and 1864 for duty with Signal Corps; Wounded in Action on Oct. 11, 1863 near Brandy Station; in hospital in Charlottesville from Oct. 17, 1863 to May 4, 1864; on horse detail from Aug. to Sep. 1864; on list of POWs paroled at Harper's Ferry, WV on Apr. 26, 1865. Post War Career: Lived in Baltimore, MD and worked as a farmer and liquor dealer. Died- Aug. 1, 1906, in "Cameron" Fairfax Co., 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
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