Commodore Joel Abbot, Camp No. 21

Lieutenant Henry L. Nicolai

Lieutenant Henry L. Nicolai, First Rhode Island Cavalry, was killed during a charge at the Battle of Kelly's Ford by J.E.B. Stuart's Horse Artillery. He is buried in Island Cemetery, Newport, RI. The tribute below was written by Nathaniel G. Stanton, MD. The deep sense of loss for Lieutenant Nicolai can be felt most strongly in the stirring words of the last paragraph:

"We shall meet him often in memory's halls;
his portrait will hang on memory's walls.
We shall never find a braver soldier or a truer man."

He was born in Newport, RI, April 29 1841, and was naturally inclined for military affairs, and, at the commencement of the war, was a member of the Newport Artillery Company. He enlisted in the First Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, and held the position of fourth corporal at the first battle of Bull Run. On the return of his three months regiment he enlisted in the First Rhode Island Cavalry, as First Sergeant of Troop A. On the second day of November, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. On the 17th of March, 1863, in the severe cavalry fight at Kelly's Ford, he led his men to the charge there several times, and was killed by a solid shot just as victory had crowned the arms of the Union. He was a brave and promising officer, and his loss was keenly felt by his comrades in arms. These, at the time of his death, paid a grateful and tender tribute to his memory. From that paper, signed by Colonel Duffie and the officers of our command, we make the following extracts:

"The officers of the First Rhode Island Cavalry wish to pay an appropriate tribute to the memory of a gallant officer, and to soften the affliction of those who mourn his loss. A sense of duty to God and his native land impelled him to take up arms, and his promotions were won step by step by a constant display of zeal for our cause and an able and manly discharge of his duties as a soldier. Three times on the day of his death he had led his men to victory."

"For a soldier there can be no prouder epitaph than, 'Dead Upon the field of honor.' On many a weary march, in many a scene of danger, we had learned to admire and respect him. 'We shall meet him often in memory's halls; his portrait will hang on memory's walls. We shall never find a braver soldier or a truer man."

Who for his country gives his blood
Attests the broadest brotherhood.

SOURCE: History of the First Rhode Island Cavalry

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