General Nelson—sneeringly and placing his hand to his ear—"Speak louder, I don't hear very well."
Davis—in a louder tone—"You seemed to take advantage of your authority the other day."
Nelson—indignantly—"I don't know that I did, sir."
Davis—"You threatened to arrest and send me out of the State under a provost guard."
Nelson—striking Davis with the back of his hand twice in the face—"There, d—n you, take that."
Davis—retreating—"This is not the last of it; you will hear from me again."
General Nelson then turned to Governor Morton and said: "By G—d, did you come here also to insult me?"
Governor Morton—"No, sir; but I was requested to be present and listen to the conversation between you and General Davis."
General Nelson—violently to the bystanders—"Did you hear the d—d rascal insult me?" and then walked into the ladies' parlor.
In three minutes General Davis returned with a pistol he had borrowed of Captain Gibson, of Louisville, and walking toward the door that Nelson had passed through, he saw Nelson walking out of the parlor into the hall separating the main hall from the parlor. The two were face to face, and about ten yards apart, when General Davis drew his pistol and fired, the ball entering Nelson's heart, or in the immediate vicinity.