The national Republican., 1862-10-01

| vious 10 expiring he expressed wish 10 see
his old friend, Rev. Mr.. Talbot Rector Of the
Calvary Episcopal Church, who was then at
| the Gait House, and the latter administered
the sacrament according to the forms Of bis
church the General repeating the service ai
ter the minister, and refusing to talk on any
| other subject. lie said he regretted that h,
had not long ago tArned his attention 10 reli.
gicn.
| Biographical sketch OF Gen. Nelson.
Brigadier General William Nielsen, com.
naudiug division under Gen. Buell. was u
native OF Mason county, Kentucky. Having
been educated in the navy, and having obtain.
ed The rank OF lieutenant, he was detailed in
the Spring Of 1861 to command The Ohio river
feet OF gunboatB
Ills extensive acquaintance with the people
Of kentucky, and bis large relationship in that
State, pointed to him as proper person. dur.
ing the bad health OF General Anderson, to be
sent into Kentucky TO sonnd The loyal senli-
ment Of that State and to strengthen it. Ac
cordingly, as early as April, he went thither,
and began the formation Of camp and the re-
cruiting Of troops at point between Garrards.
vile and Danville, since know ID "Camp Dick
Robinson" Some time since Colonel George
H. Thomas, Of the Second cavalry, proceeded
thither, having received the appointment Of
brigadier general Of volunteers and assumed
the command. Gen. Nelson at once was or
dered To form II camp at Washington, Macon
county, Kentucky, for the enlistment Of troops.
He was full forty years Of age, with massive
physique and commanding presence.
To fine natural abilities aud large experience
10 prnis he added great energy OF character and
| line Judgment Of men. He II WAS who ordered
| the arrest Of Stanton, Caste y Co, though they
were old friends aid companions. He did no,
| recognize any relationships in lite whsn duty
demands their prostratioa or sacrifice. His
brother, Thomas Nelson, of Indiana, Ia our
present minister TO Chilli aud his brother in-
law, J. Monroe Stockton, postmaster at Mays
| Vile. His naval services may be summed
up in few words. He entered the navy as n
citzsn of Kentucky, the date of his original
entry into the service being January 90, 1910.
In 1866 he was promoted to a lieutenancy after
| passing through the various degces OF rank
His sea service under that commission was
| about two and q half years. His total sen ser
| vice was twelve years and six months He was
on shore duty for nearly five years, and bad
been unemployed for nearly three years His
total service under the flag of the United State.
has been over twenty-five years He was last
st sea in May 1850, on The soop ST. Louis in
tha home squadron. On his return home he
was appointed on ordnance duty at the Wash.
inptCn navy ytTu, from WHlCu posi- ne was Sent
| to Kentucky, rs stated above, on special duty
for the War department lie was made u
trigaIier general, with commission dating
iron September lG, lSGl.
Origin OF the Array.
The origin Of the dispute is believed TO have
been the following: Last week General Davis,
who had been assigned 10 the command Of the
armed citizens OF Louisville reported that his
brigade was nearly ready ana he wished to
know of General Nelson If he could get arms
for them. "How nany mrn have yon %" asked
General NelsGa. About = 500" "Ab,ut
2 800 about 500! Nou regular officer.
aud report about the number of men In yonr
command Don't you know, sir, you should
give the exact number" Bat, General" ="
replied Davis. al didn't expect to get The guns
now; only wanted to learn If | could get them
| ard where, and, having learned that, would
ascertain the exact number needed, and then
| draw them" About $500 persisted Nelson.
" suspend you from your command, and order
You to report to General Wright, and I've n
- mind to send you out ol the city with Il
provost guard. General Davis Immediately
left Tor Cincinnati 10 report, ns ordered. to
General Wright. When he arrived there h.
found that the General had departed that day
| for Louitvile, and General Davis returned By
the next boat 10 the latter city, where the fatal
aiiray occurred.