Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-05
THE DAvIs-NELsON HOMICIDE

the Tragic OccNrrence-GeterNE Daris'
Qualification By the President and Score
tary OF Var.
Indianapolis Daily News.
The presence in the city to-day of the re-
mains of General JEFF G. Davis, one of the
best soldiers contributed by Indiana to the
war of the Union, recalls the event which
sent his name flashing over the wires to all
parts of the country on the Doth of Septem-
Der, 1s62-the shooting of -Major-General
William Nelson in the corridor of the Gait
house that morning. A full and true state
ment of the causes leading to the tragic oc-
currence, and the intense provocation under
which it was committed, has never been pub.
lished, and this is fitting occasion for re-
lating the circumstances. General Nell
son was one of the handsomest
and most imposing men in the
army and a courageous soldier, but posses .
sed of an irritable disposition and ungovern-
able temper, which led him to abuse and
curse those who offended him, in most in
sulting and degrading manner. This in
cident will illustrate his character. He Of
fered Carter Harrison, present mayor of
Chicago, position on his staff and request
ed him to report. Harrison arrived at
headquarters after night. Just az he came
up, General Nelson was ordering an aid to
convey message to another General in the
corps. The night was dark, the way led
through field covered with stumps, and the
aid said, "Why, General, can't get over
there tonight; I'll break my neck en-
stump" 10 which General Nelson brutally
responded, ''Break and be id; can ap-
point another aid in the morning." MIR.
Harrison concluded he would not accept the
offer of the position, and retired.
Nelson and Davis had met in Charleston
while the former was in the navy and the
latter stationed at Fort Sumter, and had be-
come warm friends. Shortly after the war
broke out Nelson was given command in
the army by President Lincoln and stationed
in Kentucky. He came of an old Kentucky
family, and his appointment was popularity
supposed to be due to the desire of the Pres
ident to do what he could to secure the in
Huence of his relations in behalf of the
Union cause. The two met on the field in
front of Corinth, where warm, mutual ex-
pressions of friendship and delight at the
meeting we're INDUCED in. After the sur
render of Corinth, Gen. Davis asked and
was granted leave of absence by Gen. Rose
Grams for himself and son of John I.
Morrison, volunteer aid on his staff,
and returned to his home in
Clark county. In the mean time, General
Nelson had been defeated in the battle of
Richmond, where, in his anger at the action
OF some raw recruits from Indiana, without
considering. that it was their first action, it
is said he struck them with his sword.
General Bragg, flushed with victory, made
his march on Louisville, and Nelson return
ed to protect that city.
General Davis, on leave across the river,
fastened to offer his services to the COM
handing officer. He was next in rank to
Nelson, and military etiquette demanded
that he should have position assigned to
him commensurate Herewith, especially un-
der the circumstances. Instead of this. how
ever, he was directed to recruit the Home
Guards, and with only single staff
officer (Mr. Morrison) went to work. "a
becomes a good soldier, to execute the
orders of his superior officer. The
material he worked with was composed
largely of steamboat hands and other low
classes of the community, and being some
what OF q volunteer militia organization. it
was impossible to keep correct roster of
the recruits. One day General Davis an.
preached General Nelson at his headouar-
ters IN the Gait House, where were seated a
number of officers, and asked for arms and
accouterments for his Home Guards.
show many men have you?''
"About twenty-five hundred or twentv-
six hundred" responded Davis.
about twenty five hundred or twentv-six
hundred!' yelled Nelson, rising. "That's a
nell OF way for general to make a reoni-
sltlon' by God, sir. it's. your business to
know just how many men you've got.'
stung to the quick by this unmerited and
unexpected abuse and insult Gen. Davis at
once retired, but after considering the mat
ter oetermlned to take no notice of it, and
on one occasion before shooting of Nell
son. when referring to it, said he should not
pay any. attention to it. Business. however
required that he should meet the command.
ing officer, and it is said that on these 90 i.
casions Nelson would drop into stage aside
ana remark: ''That's the Indiana fellow
sat down on "Here comes that fellow
Davis again, or some such remark.
The condition of affairs continued thus
until the morning of the Goth of September.
IN that Gay Governor Morton was in Louis
vile, and In consultation with General Mel.
son about the conduct of Indiana troops at
the battle OF Richmond, and probably TAKING
the general to task for his action towarS
them on the field. When General Davis
came down stairs on his way to breakfast
ne saw Nelson and Morton talk.
ing together near the FOOT
having just come out of the dining room.
Ills resentment at his own treatment, and
the thought of his abuse toward the Indiana
soldlery, overoame his determination to saw
nothing to Nelson, and on the impulse of
the moment he approached the gentlemen.
Addressing himself to Gen. Nelson, he said:
"Gen. Nelson, you insulted and outraged me
when volunteered my services to assist YOU
IN the defense of Louisville, when I was un-
DER no obligations to do SO, being at home on
leave OF absence. Before return to my
command ! demand an apology for your
treatment.' Nelson, being somewhat deaf.
asked him to speak lender and thu donoa,,i