Capt. James Addison Nimmo (s/o Wilson Nimmo and Serena Steward) b. Feb 1834 Robertson Co. TN d. 23 Feb 1883 Robertson Co. TN. Married Martha Adeline Dorris b. 19 Nov 1839 Sumner Co. TN d. 10 May 1923 Milford, Ellis Co. Texas.

Atlanta Georgia July 14, 1862 Maj. Genl J C Breckinridge

Dear Sir,

I hereby notify you of my disability to serve in the capacity of infantry any longer and wish to be released from service according to the act of Congress to wit: On the reorganization of the new Companies from companies already in service and the election consequent thereon of officers according to existing laws, the commissioners of such officers of former companies as may not be reelected will necessarily expire and they will cease to be in service from the date of reorganization and election." Our reorganization took place on the 16th or 17th of May in electing another man in my place and I have written to Genl Statham and Col Smith (the newly elected Col of Battles regiment) without receiving any reply, and I wish to have something to show my release from service or I may be looked upon as a deserter, by strangers, not withstanding I go on crutches. You will please excuse me for addressing you.

Yours Bv
J A Nimmo
former Capt of Comp. F 20th Tenn Reg & Statham's Brigade CSA
PS Address me at Atlanta Georgia

My Notes: The General during the Civil War James Addison Nimmo address this to the Vice President of the United States of America 1857-1861. Major General John Cabell Breckinridge 1821-1875. Born near Lexington Kentucky 15 Jan 1821. Died in Lexington Kentucky on May 17, 1875

Louisville, May 28, 1863
Mr. Elias Dorris & family,

I was captured on the morning of the 10th of this month at Trousdale ferry on the Caney fork river and brought to Gallatin where I was held until yesterday morning when we were brought here and we are now told that we will be started from here tomorrow morning for exchange.

I have been well treated and am sufficiently comfortable, and hope to be exchanged at an early date.

When the storms and tempest pass through the forest the tall oak and giant poplar fall, and when this tempestuous struggle is over many will be the leading politicians falling like the oak in the storm but, being only a small scrubby butternut, I hope to stand and see better days. Send this letter to Adeline as soon as convenient and you will oblige.

Yours truly,
J A Nimmo
Company F 4th Tenn Cavalry CSA

In a brief notice last week we announced the death of Captain James A. Nimmo, who died on Friday morning, Feb 23, 1883, after a violent attack of pneumonia. He was born Feb. 13, 1834 and had passed his forty-ninth year. He left a widow and four children, two of whom are grown. His wife was the daughter of Elias Dorris of Robertson County.

We have seldom recorded the death of a citizen more universally respected and beloved by our people than was the deceased. He was modest and unassuming in manner, and as gentle and kind as a woman, full of warm charity towards all, and as free from deception and hypocrisy as any one we ever knew. He literally wore "his heart upon his sleeve." He was liberally self educated, although he received only a common school training and was well read. In mathematics he was far advanced. The greater portion of his life was occupied in surveying, which brought him in contact with people all over the county. At the breaking out of the great civil war, he raised a company which was attached to the Second Tennessee Infantry, and served with marked distinction to the close. He was as much beloved by his comrades in war as he was in peace. Many incidents are related by them in his honor and the mention of one that occurs to us now will illustrate the goodness of his heart. He was upon a military court upon one occasion, trying a soldier charged with "sleeping upon his post," the penalty of which was death. The proof was clear and was presented by Judge Advocate. The poor fellow had become overcome by fatigue, and had dropped to sleep. There were some circumstances developed in the examination, which touched the heart of Nimmo, and softened it to mercy. As is well known to his friends he possessed a remarkable talent with the pencil, and could sketch almost equal to nast??? When the Judge Advocate was closing the case he rapidly sketched a picture full of grotesque situations and passed it to a member of the court next to him. It went around and its effect was happy, and as he had designed. It put the members in a good as well as merciful humor, and a verdict was rendered sparing the poor fellow's life and fixing a lower penalty. Nimmo's picture saved his life. During his long career as surveyor, he was often called to settle angry disputes about land lines, and here he always became the "peace maker." He quieted old feuds which had grown by passion almost to be vendettas. The loss of such a man is always a loss to the public.

The deceased was an old and useful member of King Solomon's lodge, of this place, of the Royal Arch Chapter of Masons, and of the Knights of Honor. The Masonic Lodge was accorded charge of his funeral, which took place at 10 o'clock last Saturday. The body was accompanied to the cemetery by a large number of our citizens, where the impressive ceremonies of the Masonic order was performed under the direction of M. S. Elkin, master of the Lodge. The deceased had a short time before death, which he looked forward to with that calm courage the had marked him through life, expressed a wish that the grand hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee" be sung at this grave by Rev. L. F. Haynes, pastor of the Methodist Church, and "Home Sweet Home" by the brethren of the Lodge. The request was complied with, and seldom have we seen a more touching and effective scene in that city of the death than when the one of those beautiful songs floated on the air, and ascended to the skies, leaving upon every heart the impress of their power.

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