DOB:  December 7, 1833 DOD:  November 12, 1910 Age at Enlistment: 27 Date of Enlistment:  May 9,1861 Place of Enlistment:  Franklin, TN Rank at Enlistment:  Private Rank at Discharge:  Private Casualty:  Left forearm was fractured at Perryville on October 8, 1862 Comments:  James was born and raised in Franklin, TN.  He acquired the nickname “Blackhawk” at a young age.  The story goes that a group of Indian prisoners was being transported through Franklin and many townspeople came by to see them.  James had such dark hair when he approached the group one of the Indians pointed at him and said “Blackhawk” and the name stuck.  His younger brother, George Nichols, and his nephew John Watson were both in the company.  James enlisted at the company’s formation and served without showing up on a roster as absent or sick.  At the Battle of Perryville he had his left forearm broken and went to a relative’s house in Bardstown, KY to recuperate.  He returned to the company to the company in 1863.  See George Nichols’ bio for a story involving James tricking his nephew John Watson and stealing his bacon.  James continued serving in the 1st Tennessee until about a month after the Battle of Missionary Ridge, when he deserted in December of 1863.  He left about the same time as a group of 1st Tennessee soldiers who stole Artillery Horses and joined Forrest’s Cavalry.  However, he does not appear to have joined the Cavalry and by March of 1864 there is a pass written by the Major of the 14th Michigan Infantry allowing him to pass through Federal lines on his way back to Franklin.  He appears to have stayed at home the rest of the war.  Unlike other deserters, James did not seem to be frowned down upon by his neighbors and former Confederates and he even hung out with the McEwen Bivouac of the United Confederate Veterans.  The UCV’s rules said you could not join if you deserted and while James never officially joined he was photographed with them on the Square in Franklin shortly after the Confederate Monument was erected in 1898.  In the 1870 Census he listed as still living with his widowed mother and working as a policeman.  He also ran a tavern in Franklin at the corner of modern day 3rd Avenue and Church street.  He later opened another one in Nashville.  He lost both around 1900 when the “Drys” won out and it became illegal to sell alcohol in Williamson and Davidson County.  Shortly after James “found God” and became a devout Christian.  He built a house at 315 S. 3rd Avenue which is still standing today.  He married Fannie Anderson on December 11, 1873 and had an unknown number of children.  James died of Uric Poisoning, too much uric acid in the body usually as a result of kidney issues.  He is buried in section B of Mount Hope Cemetery. 

Left:  James in later life from the Tennessee State Library and Archives Right:  James in later life courtesy of the Williamson County Heritage Foundation

Above:  James and his family at his house at 315 S. 3rd Avenue in Franklin, TN courtesy of the Williamson County Heritage Foundation Below:  James’ grave at Mount Hope Cemetery

Left:  Pass dated March 1, 1864 written by the Major of the 14th Michigan in Columbia permitting James to go into Franklin. Above:  Pass dated May 9, 1865 permitting James to go hunting.