National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-09
An UsrOnGoTTkS TRAGEDY.
How Gen. Davis, the nfodoc Cenaueror,
slew Gen, Nelsou

How Gen. Davis, the Nfodoc Conqueror,
slow Gen. Nelson.
From the New Albany Ledger standArd.l
Our warrant for obtruding this statement
Ia found In this, that no connected and de-
tailed correct account Of the unfortunate
affair has ever been given to the public; and,
further, that the writer Of this was one Of the
actors In the finale Of the tragedy. There
arc only three persons living who know all
that transplred between Davis and Nelson.
One Is Colonel Gibson, Of Louisville; one Ia
Gen. Davis, and tho otherIs the writer Of this
paper.
On Thursday, tho 25th day Of September,
1862, Gen. Davis called at Nelson's head.
quarters to confer with him upon the general
subject OF the citizen soldiery under his com
mand, and especially about their arms. The
previous interviews of the two generals had
been marked by the abrupt and dlctatorial
manner which unhapplly distinguished Gen.
Nelson on the one hand, and the chagrin Of
the proud and fiery Indianian on the other.
In the course OF the conversation about arms
for his men Nelson asked Davis how many
guns he wanted.
Davis began to reply, and had gone 90 far
as to say, about twenty-five hun" when
the imperious and violent temper Of Nelson
manifested Itself, and he sprang TO hls feet,
and, glaring upon Davis, exclaimed
'Aboun On your abouts What do
want with your abouts' Don't you know
how many men you have In your command,
Davis replied, excusing his indonniteness
by referring to the facts which have been al
ready set out In this article, and stated that
Il was impossible to tell the exact number OF
his men; that he only wanted to know where
TO got arms, and would tell him the exact
xxhan ha mazda hta ranulatsln,, 10
them, and again began to say that he now
had about so many.
The rage Of the general officer, warmed
by General Davis explanation or defence OF
hlmsof, here broke over all control, aud he
hercely answered:
'You are a. Of q general, and tell me
about how many men you have. You arp
not a. 70 command men. Get out OF my
sight. will relieve you aud send you to
Cincinnati. Get out Of my sight or - you,
will arrest you and send you TO Cincinnati
under guard, you - puppy"
to that control OF himself which his military
education had taught him, retired from the
presence OF his commander.
THE LAST INTERVIEW AND THE SHOOTING.
Tho following Monday morning, being the
10Th OF September, very early In tho morn
ing General Davis, with Oliver ?. Morton, at
that time Governor Of Indiana, Capt. 7. Ware
Gibson and another gentleman whose name
we do not now recall, encountered General
Nelson In the main hall Of the old hotel, I'm
modiatey In front Of the Office counter, when
General Davis said;
Good morning, General Nelson. I have
called to see II we cannot settle the matter
which 10 between u.s."
Davis had not finished what he had 10 say,
but rs he was beginning another sentence
Nelson broke In on him angrily and con-
temptuously.
"what arc you doing therc' Get out Of
my way, you contemplate puppy" at the
same time striking Davis In the face with the
back Of his hand, and turning fiercely on
Morton said, "And you came hero to witness
this insult, did you - you!"
Nelson turned on his heel and walked out
Of tho Office Into the hail. and thence on back
to his rooms.
Gibson and borrowed from him revolver,
which he put In his pocket. lie then ad-
vanced toward the door out Of which General
Nelson had Just passed. In q little while
General Nelson came from his official rooms,
walking back toward the Office, down tho
long hall which led to It. General Davis, IN
the meantime, was In the main ofiico. den.
Nelson walked with his right hand behind him
and his left arm across his bosom, with his
left hand In the right breast Of his coat. II
Ia TO be remembered, however, that II was O
habit of General Nelson to walk with his
hand thrust In his bosom. OF this habit,
however, 1t Is reasonable to suppose that
General Davis was ignorant. As Davis saw
Nelson approaching he stepped Into the open.
Ing between tho hall and the office, which
opening was made by double glass doors, and,
drawing his pistol, hailed Nelson
self"
Nelson, how ever, came on without chang.
Ing tho position Of his arms. Just rs he
reached the end OF the stair baluster General
Davis fired. The ball from Davis pistol en-.
tered General Nelson's breast Immediately
above the point at which his arm crossed II
When Nelson received the shot he graspet
the rail- Of the staircase and, staggering for az
instant, fell on the lower step.
Probably four minutes had elapsed DO
tween the shot and the arrival Of the clergy
man at the side Of Nelson. DR.. Newland ant
the other gentlemen had retired TO the othe
side OF the room, and left the dying GENERA
alone with death and the priest Of God.
The clergyman essayed to remind him o
that scripture which teaches that III we iron
our hearts forgive not every ono his brother
his trespasses, neither will our heayenl,
Father forgive us our trcspasses."
Catching the idea Of the minister, tho sink
Ing man said, General Davis has killed me
but l forgive him from my heart, doctor
from my heart"
The sacrament OF baptism having been ad
ministered, General Nelson lay quietly gasp
Ing his lifo out. The surgeons and othe
gentlemen gathered around him, and In tel
minutes his soul had fed from earth, and hi
renown became the treasure Of his countr
forever.
For General Nelson It 10 to be said that h
was naturally imperious-not so much to hi
subordinates as to hls equals and suporioft
That his natural Inclination In that directio
was helped on by his education, Nelson wa
lieutenant In the navy, and was serving l
the army on leave Of absence, and that hi
Quarterback manner was more offensive to
landsman than 1t would seem TO naval OIL
Ger. IL Is also to be remembered that Nelso
was worn out with continued service, ha
raised with the duty Of protecting an impeI
illed city without the necessary means O
defence, stung to the quick by the taunts of
disloyal element under his very eye, and tina
some indulgence Is to be given to the weak
ness Of human nature In his circumstances
that he wished rather to fight Governor Nor
ton than General Davis; that when he Of
preached General Davis coming from HI
rooms he was on his way to his own privai
apartments on the second floor, and did no
expect to meet Deyis at all; and finally, thi
he was unarmed when General Davis she
him.