Notes:
Benjamin was the son of Mary "Polly" Claxton Smith and William Hedgepeth Nichols.
His brother, General Morgan Nichols, also served in the regiment.
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.