General Nelson was a strict disciplinarian, and frequently tested his pickets by a personal visit. Upon one occasion he rode through a drenching rain to the outposts; it was a dark night, and mud and water were knee-deep in some parts of the road. A portion of the 2d Kentucky was on guard, and as the General rode up he met the stern "Halt" of the sentinel, and the usual "Who comes there?"
"Dismount, General Nelson, and give the countersign," was the sentinel's command.
"Do you know who you are talking to, sir? I tell you I am your General, and you have the impudence to order me to dismount, you scoundrel!"
"Dismount, and give the countersign, or I will fire upon you," was the stern rejoinder.
And Nelson did dismount, and gave the countersign, and at the same time inquired the sentinel's name, and to what regiment he belonged. The following day the man was sent for, to appear forthwith at head-quarters. The soldier went with great trepidation, anticipating severe treatment from the General for the previous night's conduct. Imagine his surprise when the General invited him in, complimented him highly, in the presence of his officers, and requested, if at any time he required any service from him, to just mention that he was the soldier of the 2d Kentucky who had made him dismount in mud and rain, and give the countersign.
On another occasion he was riding along the road, and was accosted by two waggish members of the 6th Ohio.
"Hallo! mister," said one of the boys, "won't you take a drink?"
"Where are you soldiers going to?" inquired the General.
The boys, although they knew him well, took advantage of the fact that the General displayed no insignia of his rank, and replied:
"They guessed they'd go down the road a bit, first."
"Come back! come back!" shouted the General. "How dare you disobey me? Do you know who I am, you scoundrels?"
"No, I don't," said one of the boys; and then, looking impudently and inquiringly into his face, said: "_Why! ain't you the wagon-master of the 17th Indiana?_"
Nelson thought activity the best cure for "_ennui_," and consequently kept his men busy. One day, calling his officers together, he ordered them to prepare immediately for a regular, old-fashioned day's work; "for," said he, "there has been so little work done here since the rain set in, that I fear _drilling_ has fallen in the market; but if we succeed in keeping up that article, I am sure _cotton_ must come down."