The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-24
COL. GEORGE v. NtlMS,
PIONEER CITIZEN, DEAD

Newport News, Va Sept, 23.---
Colonel George Washington Nelms.
aged seventytwo years, Confederate
veteran and pioneer citizen. died at
S35 o'clock last night at the home Of
his granddaughter. Mrs. f. Harvfe
Cunningham, of 10S Twenty eighth
Street. after suffering for several
months from a complication of dis
eases. Funeral arrangements had not
been completed last night
Mr. Neims was one of the hest
known Confederate veterans IN the
Stale He Was past commander of Ma
gruder Camp, Confederate Veterans,
and assistant inspector general OF the
First Virginia Division. United Con
federate Veterans.
Colonel helms had been resident
of this city for the past thirty years
or more. during which time he sue
cessfully filed severa positions OF
trust For twelve years he was en-
ployed in the cost department OF the
Newport News Shipbuilding and ory
Dock Company. He was honorably re-
tired a short time ago by the ship
building concern on pension
End Was Expected.
Colonel helms is survived by three
grandchildren: Mrs. f.. iiarvte Gun
ningham, of this city; Mrs W. |, Nc
Gehee. Of Lynchburg. and George w
Benson. of Atlanta, Ga He also is
survived by a brother. William NeIihss
of Petersburg. and a sister.
The end was not wholly unexpected,
"A Though if came several hours carrier
than antic, pated by relatives. tolenei
Nelms had been in declining healfh
for several months and was forced to
take to his bed short time ago.
George w. helms was born at Pc
tersbure. Va February "a. ls43, the
son of James and Ann 'lane) Neims-
He was reared in Petersburg and IN
Prince George County, receiving
common school education. After leaV-
ing school he studied biography
Entered Confederate Army.
AT the outbreak of the civil war.
Mr. helms, then n private in the re-
tershurg Rifiemen, entered the Con-
federate service with that organiZa-
ton. which became Company r of the
Twelfth Virginia Regiment, Mahone's
Brigade He was first stationed az
Norfolk and. with the few members OF
his company who were not killed. was
the last TO leave that place when II
was evacuated II May 1862,
Subsequently he was a Petersburg
and Drewry's Blur. reaching Rich
mend in time TO participate in the
battle Of Seven Pines. He was severely
wounded in the battle and forced 10
spend Ave months in bed He APP
piled for enlistment but was re-
fused aa he had just given up crutch-
es. which he was forced to use for
one year after leaving his bed. He
again applied for re-enistment al
charlottesville. but was refused the
second time. his condition being such
that the army surgeon would not give
him certificate OF health
Distinguished Himself.
However. he re-entered the army
when It returned to Virginia from
Pcnnsylva MIA His next battle was at
Rristoe station where he distinguish
ed himself. although handicapped by
his old wounds
After that he was detailed by the
secretary Of war for telegraph service
and in 1864 was transferred hy the
same authority To the service of the
Southern Express Company
subsequently, he held several posi-
tons with express companies ana
came to Newport News in 1884 then
being In the employ of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway Company. From
1882 TO 1895 he was local agent for
the Adams Express Company At the
expiration of that time he accepted a
responsible position with the tinted
states Shipping Company here. Later
he entered the employment of the
shipbuilding company
Mr. Nelms was chief organizer ana
first commander of Magruder camp
Confederate Veterans, which position
he held for three years. He was
Mason and devout member of St
Paurs Episcopal Church
|. Colonel helms was one of the most
beloved men in the city.