General Nelson—"How many men have you?"
General Davis—"About twenty-five hundred men, General."
General Nelson—roughly and angrily—"About twenty-five hundred! About twenty-five hundred! By G—d! you a regular officer, and come here to me and report about the number of men in your command. G—d d—n you, don't you know sir, you should furnish me the exact number?"
Davis—"General, I didn't expect to get the guns now, and only wanted to learn if I could get them, and where, and having learned the exact number needed, would then draw them."
Nelson—pacing the floor in a rage—"About two thousand five hundred. By G—d, I suspend you from your command, and order you to report to General Wright, and I've a mind to put you under arrest. Leave my room, sir."
Davis—"I will not leave, General, until you give me an order."
Nelson—"The h—l you won't. By G—d I'll put you under arrest, and send you out of the city under a provost guard. Leave my room, sir."
General Davis left the room, and in order to avoid an arrest, crossed over the river to Jeffersonville, where he remained until the next day, when he was joined by General Burbridge, who had also been relieved by Nelson for a trivial cause. General Davis came to Cincinnati with General Burbridge, and reported to General Wright, who ordered General Davis to return to Louisville, and report to General Buell, and General Burbridge to remain in Cincinnati. General Davis returned on Friday evening, and reported to General Buell.
Nothing further occurred until yesterday morning, when General Davis seeing General Nelson in the main hall of the Galt House, fronting the office, went up to Governor Morton and requested him to step up with him to General Nelson, and witness the conversation that might pass between Nelson and him. The Governor consented, and the two walked up to General Nelson, when the following took place:
General Davis—"Sir, you seemed to take advantage of your authority the other day."