The National tribune., 1906-08-09
GEN. WM. NELSON.

GEN. WM. NELSON.
One OF the AbIcst Generals Produced by
the wnr-His UntImeIy Death Sc
we're Blow to the Union Cause.
Editor National Tribune: In your
article Army of the Cumberland you
drop one of the grandest characters of
our civil war too abruptly. 1 refer to
Gen. William Nelson, who. with the
possible exception of Gen. Geo. H.
Thomas. had no peer in that grand
army Gen. VIM. .selson saved Ken
lucky to the Union By Ais daring hero
ism. Early anticipating the intentions
of the Confederates and their sympa-
thizers, by the assistance of Mr. Lin
coin, he organized and armed Home
Guards" throughout the State of Ken
lucky, to be used under certain condi
tions. had the honor to be attached
to one of the companies. Threatened
with assassination by the enemies of
the Nation, Nelson rode fearlessly. day
and night through all sections of Ken
lucky, target for those who had
threatened him, but dared not face him.
Gen. Nelson saved Grants defeated
army at Shiloh, turning a complete rout
into victory. Had Nelson not volun-
teered to put his division across Duck
River. instead of waiting for the con-
struction of bridge, setting an exam
pie for the remaining divisions, Shiloh
would have been recorded as a second
Bull Run.
Gen. Nelson was efficient in every
thing he undertook. He never over
looked small things. He issued orders
how to cook. make soups. etc, and per-
sonally inspected cooking in the COM
panies. and if he found any article alb
sent which the Regulations provided
for his Commissary would be put under
arrest and some one of his staff detailed
| to perform the duty and specially in
structed to secure the particular arti-
Gle the General had found missing.
That done, Nelson would release the
derelict Commissary after a severe lee
ture. The result was that Nelson had
the most efficient Commissary in the
Army of the Cumberland. which was
especially apparent at Stone River
While the men of other divisions ate
horse and mule meat, Nelson's old divi
sion (under command of Gen. Palmer)
had an abundance of everything in the
ration line.
When Gen. Davis assassinated Nelson
at Louisville he committed crime that
saved Bragg's army at Perryville. Had
Nelson lived there is no doubt that he
would have commanded one of the i'm
portant corps in that battle. either Gill
bert's or Crittenden's, which were pres
ent in line of battle waiting orders,
while McCook was overwhelmingly at
tackled and driven, giving Bragg
chance to retreat during the night. Ger
tainly Buell., only five miles distant from
the battlefield. could not have taken
shelter behind the weak claim that he
did not know the battle was being
fought. Nelson would have made him
manded that his corps be ordered into
action at once.
A few more words as to the killing of
Nelson and the events that led up 10
it: When 1t was finally determined that
Bragg's destination was Kentucky and
the Ohio River, Gen. Nelson was de-
tached from Buell's army and placed in
command of the District of Kentucky,
with headquarters at first at Lexington
Among the prominent officers reporting
to Nelson was Manson, of Indiana, who
was put in charge Of force to watch
and report to Nelson as to the move
ments of Kirby Smith, then entering
Kentucky, Nelson instructing Manson
to delay Smiths advance as much as
possible, but under no circumstances 20
bring on an engagement. But on the
approach of the enemy, Manson, feel
ing there was chance to gain a little
"tnl iAtO lluS VI Ddtlle, DuC was
ANONYMOUSLY defeated by overwhelm-
ing numbers. Nelson, at Lexington,
hearing the noise of battle. mounted his
horse, and made ride to the front un-
der more adverse circumstances than
did Sheridan in Virginia. He found
disorganiZation everywhere. Soon he
succeeded in rallying a sufficient force
to retard the enemy's rapid advance
and save the stores at Lexington. He
tod ~,
soon reported and took charge of the
forces at Louisville. Among the officers
reporting for duty was Gen. Davis. Nell
son instructed Davis to organize the
militia of the District Of Louisville, and
report to him at a stated date how
many guns and accouterments would be
required. Davis thought he was en-
titled to something better. but Nelson
said 1t was the best he could do at that
time; later on, however, he would have
some old troops, and would give him
something better. Davis left, and Nell
son Immediately put detectives on Da-
vis's trail, with orders to report all his
movements. The detectives reported
that Davis was neglecting his assigned
duty, lettering in billiard saloons and
other places. So when Davis came to
report Nelson was prepared for him.
Nelson's first question was, How many
quire?" Davis answered, about so
many" naming the number. Nelson
retorted, about SO many! You are a
- pretty officer, SIR After further
hot words. Nelson struck Davis in the
face with his open hand, and the latter
not resenting the blow, Nelson ordered
him to report under arrest to Gen.
Wright at Cincinnati. Nelson, over
whelmed with work, failed to present
charges. Thereupon Davis, with some
of his friends, appeared at the office of
the Gait House. Nelson's headquarters,
and demanded an apology. Nelson, be-
lieving Davis was under arrest, treated
the demand with contempt, and started
to go upstairs, when Davis drew a re-
volver and shot Nelson when his back
was turned. Thus was perpetrated the
greatest crime Of the civil war, ending
the earthly career of one of the grand
est men Of the civil war; The above
are the facts as I gathered them at
Louisville at the time of the happening.
l may. later, have something to add
to your description of the battle of
Stone River.-John Barnes, Cincinnati,
Ohio.