We have all heard stories of how a book, usually a bible, a soldier carried in his breast pocket saved his life in battle by intercepting a bullet. Some of these stories are true, other are, well... just stories. But for Sergeant Thomas Nelson of Company I, 32nd Georgia Volunteer Infantry, we have proof that the story was true.
Thomas Jefferson Nelson was born 20 January 1834, in Upson county Georgia. At the outbreak of war, he was farming his 400 acre farm in Upson County, Georgia. However, he enlisted as a private in Company I, 6th Georgia on 16 October 1861, and was promoted to 2nd corporal on 18 October. He rose through the ranks becoming 5th Sergeant of his company on 11 December 1861. He mustered out of the 6th Georgia in April 1862, but was appointed 2nd sergeant of Company I, 32nd Georgia, on 7 May. He served in this rank during the Battle of Olustee.
According to family history. Thomas Nelson had a tactics manual in his breast pocket when he was wounded during the battle. Although the bullet passed through the manual and wounded him, the manual saved his life. The tactics manual Sergeant Nelson carried had been presented to him by his company commander, Captain John Ferrell Lewis.
After the battle, Nelson was cited for gallantry. Recovering from his wound, Nelson served throughout the remainder of the war, surrendering as a lieutenant on 26 April 1865, at Goldsboro, North Carolina. After the war, Thomas Nelson returned to his farm. He died on 11 March 1899.
The following photographs are of the Hardee's Tactic Manual with bullet hole, Nelson's English Kerr revolver, folding fork and spoon, and reunion medals.
Information and photographs provided by Richard Ferry.
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