American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-12-13
Why Gen. JEFF. C. Davis Shot Gen. Mel
son,

Davis, who died at Chicago recently,
the Tribune of that city gives the follow
ing account of the manner in which
Gen. Davis shot Gen. Nelson at Louis
vile in the beginning of the War. There
are several accounts of the origin of the
difficulty between Gen. Davis and Gen
Nelson which ended in the shooting of
the latter at the Gait House, in Louis
vile, September 20, 1862. According to
the statement of gentleman now in
this city, at that time an officer in the
Army, stationed at Louisville, Davis was
assigned to the duty of organizing the
new regiments, and, one morning, Mel
son asked him how many troops he had.
Davis replied ''About' so many. Mel
son became indignant, and said, " You,
sir, an officer of the regular Army, tell
me about so many. 1t is your business
to know just how many" Davis con-
sidered this remark an insult Accord
ing to another account, the quarrel
originated in the display, on Nelson's
part, of prejudice against Indiana Gen
erals. Before Nelson went to Louisville,
Capt. Thomas w. Gibson was acting as
Brigadier- of the city militia
and endeavoring to reorganize
them, but became disguised and
resigned. Davis reporting for duty
at that time, Nelson assigned him to the
command of the Home Guards. Glib
son, who was an old and intimate friend,
told Davis that the command did not
exist, and that he would have to recruit
it-that it required at least two guards
to each patriotic home guard to induce
him to drill. Davis then reported to
Nelson that he did not come to recruit
division, but to command one, and re-
Guards. Nelson, who was tyrant by
nature and of domineering will and
overbearing disposition, used some harsh
language and cursed Davis as 4 coward.
Davis resented this, and told Nelson he
should not use such language towards
him. Nelson remarked in the course of
the controversy that he would send
Davis out of the city. General Dumont,
another Indiana officer, who had been
put under arrest by Nelson for the al
legged evacuation of Lebanon Junction
without orders, induced Governor Nor
ton to go to Louisville and take part in
the matter. He complained of the man
ner in which Indiana officers were being
treated, claiming that the State which
had furnished the main part of Nelson's
army deserved a few of the officers.
The result was that Dumont was as
signed to the command of division,
and General Davis was ordered to re-
port to General Wright at Cincinnati.
Davis went there and was ordered to re-
sumo command of his brigade. He
and Governor Morton returned CO
to Louisville few days after
warden the evening of September
IS. AT eight O'Clock the next morning,
while General Nelson was in the hall OF
the Gait House, General Davis APP
preached Governor Morton, who was
also there, and said: Governor, l
wish you to listen to a conversation 1
am about to have with General Nelson"
The two then approached and saluted
Nelson. Davis said: General Nelson,
few days ago you took advantage of
your position and authority to ill treat
me-" Nelson pretended to be deaf and
told him to repeat his remark. This
Davis did. Nelson's reply was: Yes,
| did what of ?'' Davis said: "You
threatened to force me to leave the
city.,' Nelson then called him Il 80 con-
temptible puppy" and struck him in
the face twice with his open hand. Da-
Wis retired, and borrowed Il pistol of Il
friend in the hall. Nelson, in the mean
time, turned to Gov Morton, and said,
in a violent manner: 'Did you come
insult me in this public manner?" Gov.
Morton replied that he had been re-
quested to listen to the conversion by
Gen. Davis. Nelson said, "By God,
sir, perhaps you don't know who am"
He then turned away, and was shot
while going to his room by Gen. Davis,
who was only eight or ten feet from
him. He died Il quarter of an hour af-
forwards. Davis was ordered under an
rest by Gen. Buell., and confined in his
room in the hotel, but subsequently re-
leased and given Il command.
SEND an American girl to I.aly to
her when she gets to he prima donna
Miss Julia Wheeiock If Boston has
learned Ia MARBLE, and they cal her