134173 DEWITT NIMS was born in 1840 at Hadley, [Saratoga County] NY and died August 4, 1863 at Helena, AR of inflammation of the brain. He was the son of Alpheus John Nims and Almena Randall. Dewitt removed with his family to Spring Prairie, WI about 1845/9. From the age of ten, he worked for George H. Palmer, a nearby farmer in order to contribute his earnings to this mother's household. His father left home in September 1849 to go to St. Louis. He wrote he was going to California for his health but never returned. As the eldest son of seven surviving children he added $20 per month to support the family.
Dewitt enlisted on August 21, 1862 at Spring Prairie, WI and mustered in as a Private in Company I of the 28th Wisconsin Volunteers of October 14, 1862 at Milwaukee, WI. The Company Descriptive Book described him as 5'5" with grey eyes, brown hair, light complexion and thick build. He enlisted for three years and served continuously until he was taken ill after the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863. {Pension Application # 214884]
Source: "The Nims Family: Seven Generations of Descendants From Godfrey Nims", Edited by Elizabeth C. Suddaby, 1990. pages 172 & 238; book no longer in print.

13 Oct 1850 Census Portage Prairie, Columbia, Wisconsin, USA
Alpheus Nims 39 Farmer RE $100 b NY
Almena Nims 39 b NY
Eliza Nims 14 b NY
Martha Nims 12 b NY
Dewitt Nims 11 b NY
Seymour Nims 10 b NY
Permelia Nims 9 b NY
Perlina [Paulina] Nims 7 b NY
Mary A Nims 5 b NY
Julius Nims 2 b Wis

His mother Almena received his pension filed 1874 Apr 13, App. # 214, 884; Cert. # 173,936.

He is on the 1861-1865 Civil War Roll of Honor, 21 - Vol. XXI Mississippi River National Cemetery, Near Memphis, Tennessee: 1614 Nims, DeWitt Private Co I 28th infantry Aug. 4, 1863 ... ... Original place of interment: Helena, Ark.
Note: Not listed on National Cemetery Locator.

DeWitt was a member of Co. I of Wisconsin's 28th Regiment Infantry. He entered service at Spring Prairie, Walworth County, Wis., on Aug. 21, 1862. He died of disease on Aug. 4, 1863, at Helena, Ark.

Previously Listed as unknown, "The location of DeWitt's burial has not been identified."