The National tribune., 1906-07-12
Stories Eminenty Worth Telling Of Experiences and Adventures
J. in the Great National Struggle

to the Indiana boys he did so regard
less of fed-tape regulations. But that
the army was in grave danger from
the influence of Governor Norton or
that he ever tried to retain quasi au-
thority over Indiana troops" we have
never heard before, nor do we think
history substantiates the charge.
Nor have we ever heard before that
Gen Jeff c.. Davis was naturally Of a
sour. saturnine disposition, Jealous of
his personal dignity, or that he was
guilty of such insults as throwing pa
per wads in the face OF his superior
officers. even in fit of rage, as he is
described as having been in with Gen.
Nelson. On the contrary Gen. jeff G..
Davis Is known and remembered AS q
gentleman Of the highest type. a digni-
fed, quiet man, and an officer of su-
pcrior merit, as the record shows. in
every command that he ever held.
Now as to the facts that led up to
the killing of Gen. Nelson. But first
as to Gen. Nelson. History records and
the memory Of those who knew him
(and the writer was one OF them) is
that he was a great big, Overbearing
man with tyrannical inclinations: a
successful commander. n terror to ell
officers who were unfortunate to BIZ
under him. and a continual annoyance
to all who were his superiors in COM
mand.
At the time Of the unfortunate en-
counter between Gems. Nelson and
Davis. Gen. Nelson had just arrived
in Louisville to take command at that
place. While passing through the cor
ridor Of the Gait House he met Gen.
jeff c. Davis. who had been in the city
for some time, and being anxious to
learn the number of available troops
I'm the city, he (Gen. Nelson) asked
Gen. Davis "how many available men
he had in his command" Gen. Davis
having been taken by surprise at the
question, answered in very quiet
manner. About $500"
Gen. Nelson, in an insulting, sneer-
ing manner repeated, about $500.
YOU. an officer In the army. answer your
superior officer About $500 Go to
your quarters and see II yOn can pre-
pare more businesslike report" and
as he said this he struck Gen. Davis a
slap In the face. Gen. Davis was, Of
course, shocked and amazed. knowing
his inability to cope with Gen. Nelson
in a muscular encounter. and being
stung to the quick by the insult he had
received he Immediately armed him
self with a revolver. and In a quiet but
dignifed manner demanded of Gen.
Nelson an apology for the insult he had
received. Instead OF apnlogizing Gen.
Nelson added insult to injury by sheer
iH6 OF HCh. OdtlS, WIZ lHiIHCuIdtCiy
True 1t was an unfortunate occur
renee. No one realized that more than
did Gen. Davis. IT is said that II cast
a gloom over the last years Of his life.
And yet what would life have been
worth to him had he not resented the
attack upon his manhood?
1t has often been said that Gen. Mel
sons death was a calamity for which
the Nation suffered. That may be
true, and yet the manner Of his taking
of may have taught lesson from
which the whole army and the Nation
derived adequate benefit.
Gen. Davis was at the same time the
victim and the hero He not only de-
limit. beyond which the terrorism Of
superior officers over their interiors
in rank could not go. 1t had Its eff
feet to the betterment OF discipline
throughout the remainder OF the war.
and the fact that Gen. Davis was never
tried for the act, and never lost his
command, shows how public sentiment
not only in the army but In civil life
was In his favor at the time.
/ think 1t unfortunate and In bad
taste to revive these unpleasant men,
cries of events that should be allowed
to sleep with the years that are gone,
but IL we must refer to them let's do II
tenderiy. give the factS, but cast no
slurs upon departed comrades, es-
pecially upon such men as Indiana's
War Governor. 0. p. Morton, or In
diana's brilliant General, JEFF C.. Davis.
neither. OF whom was the moving cause
Of this sad and unfortunate tragedy.
&C. M. Parker. Co. A, 18th Ind, Lin
coin, Neb.
III the correspondent had read the
article little more closely he would
have noticed that the sentences to
which he refers were from Gen. Buells
article in Battles and Leaders," writ
ten many years after the war. and rep
resenting the views he still entertained
OF actors and events. 1t was interest
ing from that fact.-Editor National