Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-10-08

ell was a step, Ct am relu tant to confess)
imperatively demanded by the exigencies
OF the times, and | hear but few regrets
among ais officers and men. The unfor-
tunate fate OF Nelson, in all probability,
regretted most by the unfortunate man ut
whose hands he fell, for a tyrant by ma
ture and domineering viii, and overbear
ing disposition. Nelson made but few
friends and retained none long Two
more unpopular generals never command
ed fine armies.
THE DEATH OF GEN. NELSON.
The quarrel between Nelson and Gen.
JEFF. G. Davis of Indiana who killed him,
Was one oil several days standing, and orig
mated in the display, on Nelson part of
a prejudice against Indiana generals Be
fore the arrival here of Gen. Ne,s on Il
captain Thomas w Gibson, was acting
brigadier general Of the city militia, and
was endeayorlng to organize them. Mel
son became disguised with the attempt to
organize the citizens into a brigade, and
shortly after the arrival Of Nelson threw
up the command About the same time
Brig. Gen. Dumont had evacuated Leba-
Ion Junction it was said, without orders,
and Nelson put him under arrest. Here
began the display Of prejudice towards
Indiana officers. Gibson having resigned
and Davis having reported for duty, \ els
son took advantage OF the opportunity and
ass gned Gen. Davis to the command Of the
| Home Guards al Louisville Gibson and
Davis happened to be old and intimate
friends and Gibson told Davis that toe
| com mand did not exist, and he would have
| TO recruit it-fhat it required atleast two
guards to each patriotic home guard to in
| duce them 10 attend drill Yc Grn Davis
| reported TO Gen. Nelson that heidi not
come to recruit division but to Command
! one and refused to take command OF the
| brigade of Home Guards. Nels1n used
| some harsh language at the time, AID cur
| sed Davis as a coward. Gen Davisresen-
ted this and told Nelson he sheud not
use such language towards him Nelson
remarked in the course OF the controersy
| that he would send Davis out of the limits
OF the city
Gen. Dumont, under arrest, indeed
/ Gov. Morton to come to Louisville anG en-
| gage IN the matter Gov. Morton partly
complained OF the matter in which theIn-
| diana brigadiers were being treated in
| Kentucky, and claimed that the State
which had furnished the main part of N6-
| sons army, deserved q few OF tn
officers. The result OF Gov. Morton 5
hand IN this game was the assigning Of
| gen. Dumont to the command Of the 9th
| division OF the army OF kentucky, and an
| order to Jel. {. Davis to report 20 Gen.
! Wright. Gov. Morton returned to Indian
i apohs Dumont retired If IA the quarrel
! Davis went 70 Cincinnati, and reported to
| Alright, who ordered aim to esume com
mand Of his brigade. This | do not under
stand. Davis returned to the city with
Gov. Morton last evening.
This morning about s o'clock, while
| Gen. Nelson was entering the hail, and
| said! Governor, | wish You to listen to
| d conversation | am about to have with
Gen. Nelson. The two then approached
and salutcd Nelson. Gen DAVIS said ::
| Gen. Nelson, Il few days since you took
advantage OF your position and authority
to Ill treat me. Nelson pretended to be
| deaf, and told him to repeat his remark.
Ihis, Davis did. Nelson's reply was,
les | did, what of it?' Davis said y on
threatened to force me to leave the city.
| Nelson then called him a contemplate
puppy" and struck him in the face twice
with ais open palm. Davis retired and
! approached u friend in the hail, and Dor
roWed 4 pistol Nelson IN the meantime
| turned TO GOV. Morton, and said in yln-
| lent manner, Did Won come here with
| that little son Of a b-h to see HIM insult
me in this public manner p Gov Morton
| replied that he had been requested to list
en- to the conversation by Gen. Davis.
Nelson said, by God, sir, perhaps you
don't know who / an" At the same time
ne turned away, ard was going to his
room, where he was shot by Jcif. Davis,
when only eight or ten feet from him.
Nelson fell to the floor, and then ran up
stairs, trying to geti into Gen. Bueli's room,
but fell in the hail above, and was convey
| Ell to his own room
Surgeons were Immediately called in,
who pronounced him past surgery. He
had the attendance OF Il clergyman, and
| was baptised and admitted into the Epis-
copal Church. He died at a quarter to
nine, fifteen minutes after he had beer.
! shot Gen. Davis was ordered by Gen
| Buell. under arrest, and Col Fry accom-
| panied him to his room. At the time Of
the fight, Davis was IN citizens attire, and
| have heard was under arrest. Davis IS
to be examined bv Judge Johnston to-
morrow. The trial viii be doubtless inter
| esting.