 Complete the following phrase:  Nichols was promoted to commander on July 16, 1862. In 1863 he commanded of the steamer USS Alabama in the West India Blockading Squadron. The following year he was in command of the steamer USS Mendota of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and retained that command until 1866 when he was assigned special duty in New York City. With the USS Mendota, Nichols saw heavy action when he engaged a rebel battery at Four Mile Creek on the James River, June 16, 1864. The Mendota was again engaged at the 