Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-04
THE SWORDS.

B. Harrison, Esq, received the sword OF Major Tho
mas NJ. Nelson, at the ceremony Of presentation on
the .2d In publishing the different addresses, his, on
behalf of Major NJ not having been furnished, was
omitted. Having gotten possession OF It since We
make Tor Il with pleasure. The following IS the
address
Governor GiLMER.-It affords me sincere plea
snre on behalf of my friend, Major Thomas NJ Mel
SON. TO from your hands, this beautiful and va
lued testimonial Of the appreciation Of the mmediate
representatives Of the people Of his native State. To
YOU, and 10 them, IN the Of Major Nelson, | re-
turn his mos. grateful acknowledgements Although
not an eyewitness, yet, am from particular circum-
stances, familiar with the facts hen gave rise 10 the
unanimous resolution Of the Virginia Legislature &C
cordng 10 him their thanks for his gallanry the bat,
Ties of Chataugay and lie Cole Mil On the 26th Q.
October 1913, the Chataugay, in Canada, the first
brigade of General Hampton army came IN contact
with the British forces, who occupied position IN their
immediate neghborhond Scarcely had the action com
menced, when Hampton line gave way, and IN an
instant was routed and flying. At this crisis, The
10Th regiment commanded By for whom shal!
always entertain the most sincere respect, the late
Governor Andrew Pckens Of South Carolina, was Or
Gered up TO cover the retreat OF the first brigade
This regiment was composed of recruits who had ARR
we'd on the Canada frontiers only few days before:
but il was commanded by Pickens, and its immediate
right consisted of two companies OF Nrgnians, the
FIST headed by that gallant spirit which suhse
cuent occasion in the dead o.. the night suspended
lantern within the lines Of beseging enemy to direct
with effect the FIRE of his own friends allude TO that
man of chivary George Mercer Brooke; the other
pany headed BY not his inferior in courage, the
inferior of no in indomab!e personal imness, him
whom have the honor 10 represent. The 10th, as soon
as felt the enemy gave way with the except on Of the
two Virginia companies, Brookes and Nelson's. These
alone and unasssted checked the advancing foe: and
BY their gaantry retrieved the fortune of the day The
10TH by the efficiency Gifts Colonel, al length resumed
lis position when the charge Of bayonets ordered,
and the British forced TO retreat their block houses
In addressing these gallant men, Gen. lizard said that
they entitled to his thanks not only for having
saved his Brigade from disgrace. but Gen. Hamptons
army from utter destruction. Two days after this Ma
jor Nelson, with less than fifty defended, and pre-
vented the passage of bridge against force Of Bri-
tish and Indians consisting Of not less than 3G0 it be-
ing party pushed forward to harrass the retreatng
army under General Hampton. In the progress Of the
war Major Nelson was six times engaged in battle with
the enemy, having occasion surprised and cap
tured a guard Immediately in advance Of Sir George
Provost and effected safe retreat notwithstanding The
hot pursuit of strong detachmen, Of the British army
/ mention these circumstances, Governor Gilmer,
not only act Of justice Major Nelson, but as facts
which belong to the history Of our country.