Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-10-02
The Late General Nelson.
e copy the following from the Louisville

We have never been called upon to record a
more distressing affair than the said termination
OF an unfortunate difficulty between Major Gen
eral William Nelson and Brigadier General JEFF
ferson T.. Davis. resulting in the death of the
former. yesterday morning, at the Gait House,
about o'clock A the circumstances will I'M
dergo legal investigation to morrow morning
before Judge Johnson, we deem it judicious 70
make no reference to them for it is impossible to
reconcile the many contradictory versions we
have received, until they sitted by the proper
authorities. We may mention, however, that
Gen Nelson slapped Gen. Davis in the face. and
then walked through the west door and into the
passage leading to the ladies reception room. and
a he turned from there with the evident intention
of going up stairs, he was confronted by General
Davis, who discharged pistol when within eight
or ten feet of him, the shot taking effect in his
right breast Gen Nelson reeled llltle as he
was struck. but walked iuto the room next to the
parlor, where he was laid on n mattress on the
floor, and assistance sought for All efforts were
unavaling. and he died in fifteen minutes after
receiving the ball
Gen Nelson from the first thought the wound
was mortal one, and expressed desire to have
the Rev. Mr. Talbot, of Calvary Church, sum
moned. This gentleman resides about three
miles below the city, but was unable 10 get home
on Sunday after service, and passed the night at
summons, as he was well acquainted with the
General The reverend gentleman informs Us
that the dying man spoke no word concerning the
difficulty, and made no alluson TO his temporal
affairs. but exceedingly solictous as to the
salvation of his soul, and desired Mr.. Talbot to
perform the rite of baptism and receive him into
the bosom of the church After five minutes
conversation to ascertain his state of prepared
ness the clergyman assented to his wish and the
AL amn nrIl wa adU mir tsfa rod xif
impressiveness in the presence of DR.. Murray the
medical director, Major General Crittenden and
few other personal friends. When the service
concluded, he calm and sank into his last
sleep quietly, with apparent physical pain, but
with some mental suffering.
The last audible words that he uttered were
prayer Tor the forgiveness of his sins. That ap-
peal was made to Almighty God. Let, theL. his
fellow mortals be proud of his many virtues, his
lofty patriotism and undaunted courage. while
they judge leniently of those faults. which, had
they been curbed might have been trained into
virtues. Let II not be said OF our friend:
The evil that men do live after them,
The good is oft Inferred with their bones
GENERAL NEIsox-we publish in another col
umn of this mornings Journal the touching and
beautiful Order of Gen. Buell. announcing to the
army and To- the nation the death of Gen. n eson.
We shall not presume to add anything to this
noble estimate of Gen. Nelson's military char
acter. A word concerning his personal charac
ter, however, we may not unftly add.
Gen. William Nelson was born and reared in
the county of Mason in this Commonwealth. He
was at the time of his death about forty years
of age With the particulars of his career be.
fore the dawn OF this rebellion not
quainted and the particulars of his subsequent
career the whole country knows by heart. We
need not relate them here Gen. Nelson was in
very many respects an extraordinary man, and,
ii he had lived throughout the stormy period in
which his LIE has been quenched, he would have
ranked undoubtedly among the most conspicuous
characters of the time. His wide and varied
perience OF life, his extensive aud exact nfurma.
ton. his breodth and quckness OF understanding.
his incorruptible patriotism. his amazing energy.
his perfect self reliance. and his absolute fear.
lessness, moral and physical. combined with the
rank and position he had already achieved in the
army to point him out rs one to whom in this era
OF mighty events destiny had reserved great
career. We are persuaded that nothing but
death could have barred him from such n career
He was strong man both in intellect and in
will.
Nor was Gen Nelson amidst bis customary
roughness of look and OF demeauor without the
softer graces OF character the genter tastes of
refined life. He pre- eminently n generous
man. HIS heart was open To the appeal OF
suffering rs womans ;. He loved music passion.
ately. AMI comprehended IL like a master Sit
ting with him in his room but the other night. in
a brief interval OF business. we were surprised to
hear him whistle with evident appreciation air
from IL T'roratore and still more surprised when
he proceeded 10 recount IN a strain OF enthusiasm
the circumstances under which he hrst heard that
glorious opera at Naples with the unutterable
delight IL afforded him. He seemed for the mo-
ment transformed into the poet and dilettante.
Presently. however. some officer, belted and spur
red. rushed INFO the room upon business. and the
imprisoned amateur OF music was again the
rough and stalworlh soldier
We lett him then with the mental reflection
that his daring and impetuous spirit cherished in
its depths riches of which the world suspected
nothing. With the expression of this reflection
leave him now. Alas that leave him in
bis coffin instead of bis proud place among men,