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(No. 8.)Presented to Thomas M. Nelson, late a Major in the Army of the United Siutes, in testimony ot the high sense entertained by his native State ot his gallantry and good conduct in tbe battles of Chateaguay and La Cole Mills, and his brave and patriotic services generally during the late war with Great Bii'ain.B. Harrison, Esq., received this sword and made the following reply :CrovkRNoti Gilmeu,—It affords me sincere pleasure on behali o! my Iriend, Major Thomas M. Nelson, to receive from your hanus, this beautiful and valued testimonial of the approbation of the immediate representative?, of the people of bis native State. To you, and to them, in the name ot Major Nelson, I return his most grateful acknowledgments. Although not an eye-witness, yet I am, from particular circumstances, familiar with the tacts which gave rise to the unanimous resolution of the V irgiuia Legislature, according to him tneir lhanks for his gallantry in the battles of Chataugay and Le Cole Mill. On the36th of October, 1813, on the Chataugay, in Canada, tne first brigade of General Hampton's urniy carnc in contact with the British forces, who occupied a position in their immediate, neighborhood, scarcely had the actiou commenced, when Hampton’s line gave way. and in an instant was routed and flying. At this crisis, the 10th regiment, commanded by one for whom I shall always entertain the most sincere respect, the late Governor Andrew Pickens ot South Carolina, was erdered up to cover the retreat of the first brigade. This regiment was composed of recruits who had urrived on the Canada frontieis only a few days before, but it was commanded by a Pickens, and its immediate right consisted of two companies of Virginians, the first headed by that gallant spirit, which on a subsequent occasion in the dead of the night suspended a lantern within the lines of a besieging enemy to direct with effect the fire of his own friends. I allude to that man of chivalry, George Mercer Brooke; theoth-er company was headed by one not his inferior in courage, the inferior of no man in indomitable personal firmness, him whom I have the honor to represent. The 10th, as soon as it felt the enemy, gave way, with the exception of the two Virginia companies, Brooke’s and Nelson's. These alone, and unassisted, checked the advancing foe, and by their gallantry retrieved the fortune ot (he day. The 10th by the efficiency of its Colonel, at length resumed its position when the charge ofbayonets was ordered, and the British forced to retreat to their block houses. In addressing these gallant men, Gen. Izard said that they were entitled to his thanks, not only for having saved his Brigade from disgrace, but Gen. Hampton’s anny fiom utter destruction. Two days after this, Major Nelson with less than fifty men defended and prevented the passage of a bridge against u force of British and Indians, consisting of not less than 300, it being a party pushed forward to harrass the retreating army under Gen Hampton. In the progress of the war. Major Nelson was six times engaged in battle with the enemy, having on one occasion surprised and captu»ed a guard immediately in advance of Sir George Prevost, and effected a safe retreat notwithstanding the hot pursuit of a strong detachment of the British army.I mention these circumstances, Governor Gilmer, not only as an act of justice to Major Nelson, but as facts which belong to the history of our country.
Newspaper Details
Augusta Tri Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel
Augusta, Georgia, US
Tue, Mar 09, 1841
Page 2
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GA, USA 10 Sep 2022
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