UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives

Browse Items (43 total)

  • spc_nick_000008_000008.pdf

    This personal letter from Robert K. Bell details personal health conditions and an upcoming trip to Washington.
  • spc_nick_000009_000011_000014_000016.pdf

    These letters include information pertaining to the Nickerson case. Almond expresses desire to "get something in motion to subdue the unnecessary and trivial expressions of � General Medaris". The letters also mention various correspondence that was included in the exchange of information. Both men advocate for the "cause" of Colonel Nickerson's actions. Bell was Nickerson's attorney during his trial.
  • spc_nick_000012_000013.pdf

    In response to Bell's February 13 letter from Edward Almond, Ayers informs Bell that he is attempting to find someone who would write a letter to newspaper publications in agreement with their opinion that Medaris is taking too much credit for his work. Bell responds that he is skeptical Ayers would find anyone as Medaris could make their life a "rather miserable existence".
  • spc_nick_000019_000019.pdf

    Robert K. Bell writes to Senator Bob Jones for help and information regarding the Nickerson case.
  • spc_nick_000020_000021.pdf

    The transcript details a conversation regarding the necessity of military counsel being present during the conference with Colonel Bengston, Captain Ledford, and Colonel Nickerson and under whose orders was the military counsel under.
  • spc_nick_000033_000033.pdf

    Bell thanks Jenkins for joining the defense of Nickerson and writes that he included newspaper clippings and other informative information about the case.
  • spc_nick_000034_000035.pdf

    In this letter, it is requested that May 13-17, 1957 be set as the dates of the Nickerson trial. It then details the reasons for these specific dates.
  • spc_nick_000041_000042.pdf

    The Defense Counsel writes to the Commanding General, Third United States Army requesting "top secret clearance for all members of the General Court Martial, the Court Reporter, and the Civilian Counsel n the case of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr."
  • spc_nick_000046_000055.pdf

    These drafts of the letter and final letter to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence requesting highly classified information to be made available to the Court in order to "insure a proper defense" in the Nickerson case. These documents also include a letter from Bell to Ray H. Jenkins asking him to read the draft of the letter before Bell sends it and also asks about traveling to Washington the following week.
  • spc_nick_000063_000066.pdf

    In this letter, the Defense Counsel provides a list of witnesses for the defense in the case of John Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000068_000068.pdf

    This letter requests a pre-trial conference be held on the 26th or 27th of April, 1957.
  • spc_nick_000069_000073.pdf

    In this letter, the Defense Counsel provides a list of witnesses for the defense in the case of John Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000077_000088.pdf

    This letter from the Defense Counsel requests a continuance of the trial of Colonel John C. Nickerson due to the counsel still waiting on a response to their request for top secret clearance for access to pertinent information for the trial and the delay of the release of the pre-trial investigation to the civilian defense counsel. A letter from John Nickerson follows, detailing how without top secret clearance, he is unable to provide his civilian counsel with "essential components of the real issues in my defense without divulging information that is now classified." Multiple copies are included.
  • spc_nick_000093_000094.pdf

    Bell responds to McDonald's letter from April 30, 1957. He discusses the Nickerson case and the recent call for witnesses by the trial counsel. He also discusses old aquaintances on a personal level and mentions his upcoming trip to Indianapolis, hoping to have lunch with McDonald while there.
  • spc_nick_000095_000095.pdf

    After receiving a continuance in the Nickerson case, Bell writes to Jenkins about making new plans. He states that they are going to try to get any political assistance that they can and that he will be writing to a number of friends in Washington regarding the case.
  • spc_nick_000100_000104.pdf

    In this letter, Bell explains that the defense counsel still has not received approval for top secret security clearance, necessary to "properly defend the accused." Bell states that while the defense counsel would prefer not to request a delay of the proceedings, if the clearance is not granted, they may have no choice but to do so. The documents also include the original draft of the letter.
  • spc_nick_000111_000111.pdf

    The defense counsel believes that the Commanding General or Convening Authority is both the accuser and the reviewer in the proceeding. Bell asks Perry in this letter for any "citations" on that particular point.
  • spc_nick_000113_000118.pdf

    The Defense Counsel writes to the Commanding General, Third United States Army, requesting a continuance of trial of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr., citing the failure of the government to approve their request for top secret clearance as the reason. The defense counsel details how the clearance is vital to Nickerson's defense.
  • spc_nick_000122_000127.pdf

    Argument of Robert K. Bell before the General Court-Martial at Redstone Arsenal in defense of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. Nickerson plead guilty and Bell's testimony was present in an effort to "extenuate or mitigate whatever he might have done." Bell calls Nickerson's judgment "bad" and his actions "unfortunate" and "careless" but argues that he is not disloyal, disobedient, or promoting his own welfare above that of the Army or national security.
  • spc_nick_000128_000133.pdf

    T. C. King writes to the Secretary of Defense, Neil H. McElroy, regarding the Nickerson case, calling it the "second Billy Mitchell case". He encourages McElroy to restore Nickerson to active duty, return to Redstone Arsenal, promote Nickerson and remove Medaris. The Adjutant General , Herbert Jones, replies that promotions are based on the officers' entire records and Nickerson plead guilty. King's reponse is included. This exchange of letters was forwarded to Robert K. Bell in the interest of the case.
  • spc_nick_000213_000216.pdf

    This letter is the first request of a continuance of the trial of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. by the defense counsel due to waiting on top secret clearance for information pertinent to the case and other various reasons.
  • spc_nick_000327_000328.pdf

    Lawson writes a brief letter to Bell wishing him luck in the Nickerson case and saying he is the right person for the job. Bell responds calls the case a "Herculean one" and hopes he can fulfill the responsibility.
  • spc_nick_000329_000330.pdf

    Brown wishes Bell the best in the Nickerson case and expresses support for the Colonel. Bell's response thanks Brown for his support.
  • spc_nick_000331_000331.pdf

    Bell writes to thank Willis for his support in the Nickerson case.
  • spc_nick_000333_000334.pdf

    L. C. Walker, Nickerson's uncle by marriage, asks Bell if he and another uncle by marriage could be permitted to sit in on the hearing. Bell responds that they will have seating space for Walker and Mr. Scott.
  • spc_nick_000335_000337.pdf

    Cox writes to Bell asking if he could have the priviledge of reporting Nickerson's case, "unless other arrangements have been made." Cox includes his previous experience with court-martials. Bell responds by explaining that the defense counsel has little influence in the matters of appointing a court reporter.
  • spc_nick_000341_000341_000375_000375.pdf

    Bell writes to Selden in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Selden replies stating he will pass the information "if the opportunity present[s] itself."
  • spc_nick_000362_000362_000367_000367.pdf

    Bell writes to Sparkman in Washinton D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Sparkman thanks Bell for his letter from May 8 and responds that he has already been "dropping some suggestions" regarding Bell's hope to give Nickerson a non-judicial punishment rather than trial by court-martial.
  • spc_nick_000363_000363_000366_000366.pdf

    Bell writes to Hill in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Hill responds by thanking Bell for the letter and will do anything to help "along the lines of your suggestion."
  • spc_nick_000364_000364_000372_000372.pdf

    Bell writes to Elliott in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Marlowe writes to Bell on behalf of Congressman Elliott who is out of town and will respond to Bell's May 8 letter upon his return.
  • spc_nick_000365_000365_000371_000371.pdf

    Bell writes to Huddleston in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Huddleston responds stating his will "make a discreet request" to Secretary Brucker and General Maxwell.
  • spc_nick_000368_000368_000373_000373.pdf

    Bell writes to Grant in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Grant responds with interest and states that it looks as though the Army may "drop the Colonel Nickerson case by non-judicial punishment."
  • spc_nick_000369_000369_000374_000374.pdf

    Bell writes to Roberts in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Roberts responds that he has done everything he could on the matter.
  • spc_nick_000370_000370.pdf

    Bell writes to Bob Jones in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment.
  • spc_nick_000387_000388.pdf

    Green writes to Bell saying he saw him on the news following the Nickerson case and he hopes the results were to his satisfaction. Bell writes to Green in response saying he is pleased at the outcome of Nickerson's trial and asks Green to visit him if he is ever in North Alabama.
  • spc_nick_000389_000390.pdf

    Pritchard writes to Bell, sending a check for Colonel Nickerson to be used for any fines that would be imposed or for the expense of the defense of Nickerson. Bell responds with his sincere thanks and writes that he has given the check to Colonel Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000397_000399.pdf

    Ryan writes that he recently saw a picture of Bell in the New York Herald Tribune with Colonel Nickerson. He includes personal details of his life stating he remarried and recently took a trip to Europe. He reminisces of a Caribbean trip they took together a year before his first wife passed away. Ryan also congratulates Bell on the "wonderful result" of the trial. Bell responds, continuing to reminisce on the same Caribbean trip and states he hopes to travel out West and visit with Ryan while there. He concludes by thanking Ryan for the letter.
  • spc_nick_000400_000401.pdf

    Bell apologizes for being "a very poor correspondent" and thanks Jenkins for his letters. He writes that he is "having a terrific time with John Nickerson in trying to keep his mouth closed and to make him forget the word 'appeal'. Bell includes personal details of his life after the trial and concludes the letter by thanking Jenkins again for his friendship.
  • spc_nick_000402_000403.pdf

    Lucas writes to Bell after the Nickerson case and encloses a picture that was requested by Bell. He mentions in closing that Jenkins informed him he will recommend against an appeal. Bell thanks Lucas for the picture and writes he is happy to hear Jenkins recommends against appeal as Bell is having a difficult time keeping Nickerson's "big mouth shut and to forget the word 'appeal'.
  • spc_nick_000553_000553.pdf

    Bell writes in response to a recent letter from Nickerson. Bell details an upcoming trip to visit the Nickersons in Panama and state that they are "looking forward to seeing you."
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