Christian M. Nisley was Born in Harrisburg Pennsylvania on May 19th 1838 He was the son of Abraham and Nancy (Mumma) Nisley who lived in Dauphin County Pennsylvania. His family came to Tippecanoe County Lafayette Indiana in 1850 in a one horse wagon. And started farming near Purdue University. Christian was the oldest of eleven siblings, eight of which survive. On October 29th 1861 at Lafayette, Indiana Christian joined Company D of the 40th Regiment Indiana Infantry. Christian took part in all engagements the regiment took part in until taken prisoner of war at the battle of Franklin Tennessee on November 30th 1964 along with 1900 others. Christian shared in a letter that he and the other prisoners were hurried to Columbia Tennessee and were held until just before the Battle of Nashville and were removed to Meridian Mississippi and then on to Cahaba Alabama also known as "Castle Morgan" which is on the Alabama river. And in the spring of 1865 river filled the prison forcing the prisoners to stand for three days in the water. The prisoners were then moved few more times and Christian ended up Vicksburg Mississippi where he boarded a steamer known as the "Sultana". And the Sultana headed north up the Mississippi river arriving at Memphis Tennessee on the evening of April 26th 1865. The Sultana crossed the river to get coal and then started up the river and on the then on April 27th 1865 around two in the morning the first of three boilers exploded. Christian was on the passenger deck at the time of the first explosion where a smoke stack fell through the hurricane deck killing John Howard of Company H, 40th Indiana infantry and pinned Christian to the deck. After struggling he was able to free himself, but then fell through the deck seriously injuring himself and being badly burned and scalded. Christian then started freeing other men who were trapped by pieces of the boat. After this with the Captain J. Cass Mason of the Sultana. They started throwing pieces of the boat in the water for those already in the water. After short time the fire became so hot the Christian was forced to jump in the water. Captain Mason was the last person Christian spoke with on board the Sultana, after jumping in the water Christian used studding to float down river approximately five miles and was able to grab ahold a small cotton-wood tree. And was picked up by around ten o'clock by the steamer Bostonia 2 and taken to a Memphis Hospital where he remained for a few days. After few days he was taken to Indianapolis Indiana where he received a ten day furlough after he returned Christian received a commission as first Lieutenant. Before he could rejoin his regiment, which was in Lavaca Texas. He was taken with Typhoid fever and came near dying. Sgt. Nisley took his discharge and returned home to Lafayette Indiana. Christian Nisley was elected Sheriff of Tippecanoe County Indiana and served as sheriff 1873 to 1876. At the age of fifty Christian Nisley stated that "should my country ever need my services I am as ready and willing as before to give them."