The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain Henry Clay Nichols, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 9 April 1865, while serving with Company E, 73d U.S. Colored Infantry, in action at Fort Blakely, Alabama. Captain Nichols voluntarily made a reconnaissance in advance of the line held by his regiment and, under a heavy fire, obtained information of great value.