Individual Details

Nathan Sumner Dickinson

(31 Aug 1836 - 7 Aug 1864)

He enlisted in Co. C, 25th Mass. Reg., aged 27; was wounded in the battle of Cold Harbor, VA., June 3, 1864.

Nathan was a student in New Salem, MA early in life and farmer in Spencer, MA after his marriage to Judith Holmes Prouty on April 27, 1859. Nathan purchased 10 acres of land and a farm from Richard Sugden on May 3, 1859. In 1862, his tax liability is for a house, barn, 60 acres, 50 Horse and 12 Swine. Because of his action in the Civil War, I have more information about his life than any other pre-20th century Dickinson, including two pictures. -- Steve Dickinson, Virginia.

He was mustered Oct. 4, 1861 into the 25th Regt. Co. C. Mass. Volunteers and enlisted for 3 yrs. His bounty was $290.66. The Regt. was under the command of Col. Edwin Upton 'til 1862 and then under Col. Josiah Pickett ( legendary soldier from Worcester, MA). Sept. 26, 1861 -- arrived at Camp Lincoln in Worcester, MA. The Regt. left MA Oct. 31, 1861 for Annapolis, MD to serve under Gen. A. E. Burnside. It was stationed at Camp Hicks until Jan. 11, 1862, when it sailed as part of Burnsides NC Campaign. The Regt. engaged in battles of Roanoke Island, Newbern, Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsboro and other skirmishes in NC. The Regt fought at Arrowfield Church, Drury's Bluff and Cold Harbor in Virginia. The Regt. was destroyed as a fighting force on June 4, 1864 in a heroic but useless charge on well entrenched Confederate Troops at Cold Harbor. Over 75% of the regt. killed or wounded in less than 30 minutes. Nathan was shot in the arm (according to his medical records at the National Archives) and taken to Harewood General Hospital in Washington, DC. His arm was eventually amputated early August and he died of his wounds on Aug. 7, 1864, age 28.

There are least four books by survivors of the Regiment. I have a copy of "The Story of Co. A., 25th Regt. Mass. Vols." by _______________.

Events

Birth31 Aug 1836Barre, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Marriage27 Apr 1859Spencer, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States - Judith Holmes Prouty
Death7 Aug 1864of wounds received in battles of Antietam and Cold Harbor - Harwood Hospital, District of Columbia, United States
BurialAft 7 Aug 1864North Brookfield, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Families

SpouseJudith Holmes Prouty (1833 - )
ChildGeorge Sumner Dickinson (1860 - 1922)
ChildCharles Levi Dickinson (1861 - 1942)
FatherAlexander D. Dickinson ( - )

Endnotes

1. Dickerson, Mary Ellen, "Descendants of Judith Holmes Prouty," e-mail message from () to Nancy Prouty, 8/17/2004.

2. Dickerson, Mary Ellen, "Descendants of Judith Holmes Prouty," e-mail message from () to Nancy Prouty, 8/17/2004.

3. Temple, J.H., History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by an account of Old Quabaug, Indian and English Occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783. (North Brookfield, MA:, 1887), p 714.

4. Dickerson, Mary Ellen, "Descendants of Judith Holmes Prouty," e-mail message from () to Nancy Prouty, 8/17/2004.

5. Temple, J.H., History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by an account of Old Quabaug, Indian and English Occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783. (North Brookfield, MA:, 1887), p 714.

6. Dickerson, Mary Ellen, "Descendants of Judith Holmes Prouty," e-mail message from () to Nancy Prouty, 8/17/2004.