The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-10-18
OF GEN. NELSON.

ThlLouisville correspondent of the Gin
cinnai Times gives the following account
of TIE affray which terminated in the death
of Gen. Nelson at the hands of Gen. JEFF.
c. Dayis:li la dsleI -ni So
iSauntering out IN search of an ''item,''
my custom, always in the morning, hap
Epened in the Gait House just as the alter
cation between General Nelson and Gene
raj JEFF @. Davis was reaching its climax.
and of which telegraphed you within ten
minutes after its occurrence.
From what I learn from parties who saw
the commencement, it would seem that Gen.
Davis felt himself grossly insulted by Mel
sons overbearing manner at their former
meeting, and seeing him talking TO Cover
nor Morton, Davis advanced and demanded
an explanation, upon which Nelson turned
and cursed him, calling him an Infamous
puppy, and using other violent language
unit for publication. Upon pressing his
demand for an explanation, Nelson, who
was an immensely powerful and large man,
took the back OF his hand and deliberately
slapped Gen. Davis face. Just at this june
ture [ entered the Office; the people congre-
gated there were giving Nelson wide berth.
Recognizing the General said, GOOD
morning. General At this time vas
not aware OF what had passed. His reply
to me was:
odd you hear that id insolent scoun
drel insult me, sir? l suppose he don't
know me, sir. I'll teach him a lesson. sir. =
During this time he was retiring slowly to-
wards the door leading to the ladies sitting
room. At this moment l heard General
Davis ask for a weapon, first of gentleman
who was near him. and then meeting Cap
tain Gibson. who was just about to enter
the dining room, he asked him If he had a
pistol.
Captain Gibson replied AZ always carry
the article;" and banded one to him, re-
marking, as Davis walked toward Nelson.
1t IL 'trsuler' trigger. work light"
Nelson, by this time. had reached the hall,
and was evidently getting out of the way
to avoid further difficulty. 4E aa
Davis face was livid, and such look OF
determination. never before beh-ld. H's
Land was slowly raised. and as Nelson ad
vanced, Davis uttered the one word, 'halt, y
and fired. " ".
Nelson, with the bullet in his breast. com
pleted the journey up the entire stairs, and
then fell. AS he reached the top John
Allen CIittenden met him and said. ''Are
you hart, General?'' Yes. am, mortal
Iy." Can do anything for your
Yes; send for surgeon and priest
quick"
A rush was made by the crowd towarc
the p &c as soon as he was shot. - .
No effort, so far as ] can learn, has beer
made to arrest General Davis.
) A few minutes after the occurrence wa
introduced to the aid of Gov. Morton, anC
he told me he saw il all from the very com
mencement, and that had not DAVIS sctet
as he did. after The gross provocation h.
received, Davis would deserve to be sho
himself sg
1 1t is great pity SO brave man shoulc
have so little control over his temper. al
though very severe in his discipline, ant
rough in his language. the boys OF his di
vision were devotedly attached to him
because he sOas a fighting man. The 6tl
OHIO, especially, were his ardent admirers
} He was hated here, bitterly hated, by all Sc
f cessionists; this of itself should have en-
deared him to Union men.