New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-30
General William Nelson.

Gen. Nelson, Of whose untimey death we have
news by telegraph, commanded division under
Gen. Buell.. He was a native of Mason County,
KY. He was educated in the Navy. and had arrived
at the rank Of Lieutenant, when, in the Spring Of
1861 be was detailed to command the Ohio River
feet of gunboats. He was subsequently appointed
TO succeed Gen. Anderson in Kentucky, with view
to bis strengthening the loyal sentiment in that State.
This was owing to bis extensive acquaintance with
the people there In April 1861, he went there and
began the formation of camp and the recruiting Of
troops, at point between Garrsrdsville and Dam
vile, since known as Camp Dick Robinson"
Owing to the subsequent appointment of George II.
Thomas to that post, Gen. Nelson was ordered to
form camp at Washington, Mason County, KY,
for the enlistment Of troops.
Gen. Nelson was about 40 years Of age, of power
full physique, and good presence. His address, how.
ever, was extremely uncouth and profane, 90 much
80 that he was said to be the most profane and
obscene officer in the United States Army. To bis
men be was uneenerous and rough. In this manner
bis efficiency greatly marred, and his influence
much circumscribed. His brother, Thomas II. Nell
son Of Indiana, is our present Minister to Chill.
He entered the Navy as a citizen Of Kentucky,
Jan. 90, 1910. In 1855, he was promoted to a
lieute nancy, after passing through the regular
degrees of rank. III this latter capacity, be served
at sea about2l years. His total sea service amounted
to about II years and 6 months. He was on shore
and other duty for nearly years. and bad been un-
employed for about the same time. His total SER
vice under the flag of the United States was over -
YEAR, His last sea seryice was on board the sloop
| 81. Louis in the Home Squadron. On his rt1n
home, he was appointed to ordnance duty at the
Washington Navy-Yard, from which post he was
sent to Kentucky already stated on special duty
for the War Department. His commission az
Brigadier-General dated from Sept. l6, 1861.
| Recently he was assigned to the command o. the
troops in Kentucky, superseding Gen. Lew. Wall
lace and under lis administration we have had a
succession OF sgracefu defeats till the Rebels over.
ran the Sate, and were only stopped by Wallace
from CAPTURING Cincinnati. More recently the
defense Of Louisville has engaged Neson, and
7 It is charged In one Of tho morning Faiers
In this city that "the course Of that officer
has Favored very much Of the Leartless, III
temperate alarmist, or Of g windy, clustering
Furioso. Bully Nelson he is sometimes called,
though in sense different from its literal signifcs-
ton. We fail yet to perceive any justification for
his alarming order directing the women and children
to prepare to leave the city, which caused SO much
suiIering As for the talk of fighting from house TO
house. barrieading the streets, and laying the town
in ashes if intended for the of the Rebel gener-
ais, IT must have provoked bursts of laughter from
those who knew him through and through"
Ills energies were extensively exerted in the God
less enterprise OF returning fugitive slaves TO their
Rebel masters. /. may be said that be has accom-
plished more to aid the rebellion in this than
ne consummated for the Union cause with all his
other eitogts.
We believe he was promoted to III. rank Of Ma
or-General fox distinguished services at the battle OF
Sailoh