The National tribune., 1894-11-01
CONSIDERS HIM ABUSED.
A I'd Ky. Man Meets the Charges Against
Gen, Nelson.

Gen. Nelson.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your
issue of Sept. % is a communication, with
caption, Stories of Nelson" from the pen
of w. L. De Munbrun in which he claims TO
| Der of Nelson's Division. This article was
made subject of discussion among men,
bers of our regimental association, and /
have been requested to contribute few re-
marks in reply.
De Munbrun says that at one time guard
in the reserve when called to turn out for
the General" had appeared with cigar in
his mouth, and for this offense Gen. Nelson
had him bucked and gagged" for hours
never heard of an old soldier while in
camp in the front having any chance to get
cigar. pipe and plug tobacco were good
enough; but a guard who would turn out"
with either in his mouth should have been
"bucked and gagged or "drummed out Of
camp"
Gen. Nelson was bluff and stern, and to
those who were easily intimidated and did
not understand their business and duty he
| used severe and rough language, but if, on
the other hand, they had genuine grit even
in his presence, stood up for their rights and
met him without fear they were rewarded
by his friendship or ID good soldier"
De Munbrun claims that a private of a
Kentucky regiment was court-martialed and
shot at Nashville, Tenn, in March, 1862, and
that Gen. Nelson took occasion at this time
to heap indignities upon all his Kentucky
troops, etc.
He is mistaken. No soldier of Nelson's
Fourth Division, Army of the Ohio, Ken
lucky regiments, was ever court-martialed
and shot at any time, Nashville, Tenn, or
any other place, while Nelson commanded
the division. Nelson never did heap any
indiguities on his Kentucky boys at any
time.
In evidence that De Munbrun is faulty in
his statements l quote from the history of
the 9th Ohio, page 216, as furnished from
the library of Capt. Harry c. Cheates, Of
that regiment:
con the 5th of March the command first
beheld military execution. Private
Michael Connell of Co. E, Oath Ohio in &C
cordance with the sentence of a court
martial, was shot to death with musketry'
in the presence of 5000 troops from Nelson's
and Crittenden's Divisions for Offering
violence to his superior officer Corp1
Alonzo Pocock Of Co. K of the same regi-
ment. The man had been a good soldier,
but one night, while intoxicated, fired five
pistol-shots at the Corporal of the Guard,
who was endeavOring 10 arrest him. None
OF the shots took effect, yet for this offense,
committed nearly two months before, he
suffered the extreme penalty of military
law. He met his fate with mistaken firm
ness. The spectacle was solemn one, and
to none did it bring more sadness than to
Col. Ammen and Gen. Nelson. The latter
delayed the execution tilr the last moment
allowed by the terms of the sentence in hope
that reprieve might yet be granted by the
Department commander. He even dis
patched an Aid-deCamp toward Nashville
to look for the expected messenger, but none
came, and the law had its course"
De Munbrun says he served on all the
battlefelds that Nelson did, except Rich
mond, KY, and does not remember any,
thing that he did that was brilliant. If he
did SO serve he surely must have been one
of the rear-guard on the other side of the
river.
When Gen. Nelson secured for his divis-
ion the advance at Columbia, Tenn, forded
Duck River in March, 1862, and by forced
marches reached Savannah, Tenn, April 5,
and April cut his way through the forest
swamps his men cheer ng all the time to
let the comrades on the other side of the
Tennessee River know that their big
brother" was coming to their help; crossed
the river at Pittsburg Landing, where thou
sands of demoralized men covered under
the bank; saved Gems. Grant, Sherman, and
Logan from destruction for the future use of
the country they served so CALAMITY by
throwing his division into the breach and
checked the hitherto victorious rebels, was
it not brilliant? In front Of Corinth, Miss,
was not Gen. Nelson the central figure?
The battle of Bridge Creek. Miss, was fought
by the LIST and Cd KY, with Gen. Nelson in
person commanding by which the picket
line was established in front of Gen. Woods
Division. Was that brilliant?
Did anyone ever know of Nelson's Divis-
ion dilly-dallying along the road after
days march waiting for someone to find
camp-ground
No, sir! When camping time came his
men marched to quarters as if they had
always been there, and were at once in
formed where to find wood, water, straw,
etc. He examined their rations, clothing,
and equipments and compelled his Commits
saries and Quartermasters to furnish the
best that could be had. These traits showed
whether he was brilliant and grand, and
why his old division loved him so much.
They loved him for his daring courage
and untiring energy in caring for them, and
ne loved tnem because they never faltered
in obeyiDg orders, whether to charge bat
terry Of guns, storm the breastworks in front
of Corinth, or make bayonet charge.
De Munbrun, however, lets the cat out
of the bag" when he acknowledges that
Gen. Nelson gave him good, old-fashioned
kentucky cussing while he was on guard at
the hospital with orders to shoot anyone
who crossed the beat. He had not obeyed
his orders, as he admits, and then weakened
beneath Nelson's TRADE instead of standing
up for his rights as a guard on duty.
Comrade Tafael Van, LIST KY, is anxious
to know on which side of the tent-fiap De
Munbrun was. If his orders were to shoot,
why in thunder did he not do it and ex-
plain afterward.-J. p. j. DE BECK, Co. d,
I'd KY, 81 Bremen street, Cincinnati, o.
RODGERS'S DEATH.