He was a Confederate soldier who served during the American Civil War, displaying remarkable resilience and determination. He lost an arm and a foot in separate battles, yet continued to serve his cause despite these life-altering injuries. Nichols began his military service as a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Louisiana Infantry Regiment. In June 1862, during the Battle of Seven Pines (also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks) in Virginia, Nichols was severely wounded, leading to the amputation of his left arm. Despite this significant injury, he returned to active duty. In May 1864, Nichols faced another significant challenge during the Battle of the Wilderness, a fierce and bloody engagement in Virginia. During the battle, he sustained a severe injury to his right foot, necessitating its amputation. Remarkably, even after losing both an arm and a foot, Nichols persevered and continued to serve the Confederate cause. Eventually, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, becoming one of the youngest generals in the Confederate Army.
