Anderson Doniphan Nelson
Anderson Doniphan Nelson was born 16 Mar 1818 Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky,
He died at Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia, 30 Dec 1885 (aged 67) and is buried at Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, MEMORIAL ID 199176558
West Point: CLASS OF 1841.
His first service was in Florida, at the close of the Seminole war. Transferred soon after to our Western frontier, he performed his part in those duties which fell to the Infantry and Cavalry arms of service, in the border States and Territories, prior to the Mexican war.
His regiment belonged to Worth's Division of General Scott's army in its march from Vera Cruz into the Valley of Mexico. So was it his good fortune to take his part and share in those splendid victories of the invading forces which thrust Santa Anna from his capital.
Nelson was promoted to the grade of captain in 1855 while again serving on the Western frontier. Broken in health, he obtained a sick leave in 1857, and did not return to duty until 1861.
Though not sufficiently robust to take the field, his military education and twenty years' experience in the United States army, made him a very useful officer in mustering and organizing volunteer commands.
For his faithful, efficient and meritorious services during the war, he received the brevet commissions of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel.
In 1877 Nelson was married to Miss Emily Sanford, who has survived him, but without children. As Colonel of the Twelfth Infantry he was retired from active service, at his own request.
He had gone to Georgia for his health.
Military History
Cadet at the Military Academy, July 1, 1837, to July 1, 1841, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to
Bvt. Second Lieut., 6th Infantry, July 1, 1841.
Served: in the Florida War, 1841‑42; on frontier duty at Ft. Towson,
(Second Lieut., 6th Infantry, Feb. 10, 1842)
I.T. 1842, — and Ft. Gibson, I.T., 1842‑46; on Recruiting service, 1846‑47; in the War with Mexico, 1847‑48, being engaged in the Skirmish of Amazoque, May 14, 1847, — Capture of San Antonio, Aug. 20, 1847, — Battle of Churubusco, Aug. 20, 1847, — and Battle of Molino del Rey, Sep. 8, 1847; in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., 1848, — and Ft. Snelling, Min., 1848‑49; on Expedition to the Red River of the
(First Lieut., 6th Infantry, Nov. 18, 1849)
North, 1849; on Recruiting service, 1849‑51; in garrison at Ft. Snelling, Min., 1851‑53; at the Military Academy, as Asst. Instructor of Infantry Tactics, May 12, 1853, to July 6, 1855; in garrison at Carlisle
(Captain, 10th Infantry, Mar. 3, 1855)
Barracks, Pa., 1855; on frontier duty at Ft. Snelling, Min., 1855‑56, — and Ft. Ripley, Min., 1856‑57; and on sick leave of absence, 1857‑61.
Served during the Rebellion of the Seceding States, 1861‑66: as Superintendent of Volunteer Recruiting Service in Minnesota, Dec., 1861, to Mar. 13, 1863; as Mustering and Disbursing Officer, Mar. 26 to
(Major, 1st Infantry, Mar. 13, 1863)
Nov. 11, 1863, and Superintendent of Volunteer Recruiting Service, Jan. 23 to June 16, 1864, for the State of Minnesota; as Provost Marshal of the Defenses of New Orleans, La., June 30 to Sep. 28, 1864; as Acting Inspector-General of the 19th Army Corps, Sep. 28, 1864, to Feb. 8, 1865, — and of the Department of Arkansas, and 7th Army Corps, Feb. 8 to Aug. 4, 1865; in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Oct. 28 to
(Bvt. Lieut.‑Colonel., Mar. 13, 1865, for Faithful and Efficient Services during the Rebellion)
(Bvt. Colonel, Mar. 13, 1865, for Faithful and Meritorious Services during the Rebellion)
Dec. 14, 1865; as Acting Inspector-General of the Department of Louisiana, Dec. 14, 1865, to Aug. 12, 1866; and on leave of absence, Aug. 12 to Nov. 21, 1866.
Served: in garrison at Jackson Barracks, La., Nov. 21, 1866, to Apr. 20, 1867; as Supervisor of Board of Registers, Apr. 20 to Aug. 27, 1867; on Special duty at New Orleans, La., Aug. 27 to Oct. 11, 1867; in command of post of New Orleans, La., Oct. 11, 1867, to June 1, 1868; on leave of
(Lieut.‑Colonel, 5th Infantry, Jan. 12, 1868)
absence, June 1 to Oct. 1, 1868; in command of regiment and Ft. Hays,
(Unassigned, Mar. 15, 1869)
Kan., Nov. 7, 1868, to Apr. 20, 1869, — of detachment, 10th Cavalry, and p105 Camp Supply, I. T., to Feb. 7, 1871, — of Camp Gaston, Cal., May 9,
(Assigned to 12th Infantry, Dec. 15, 1870)
1871, to Oct. 13, 1873, — of regiment and Angel Island, Cal., Oct. 20, 1873, to Nov. 12, 1874, continuing on duty there till Feb. 28, 1876; and as Acting Assistant Inspector-General of the Department of Dakota, Mar. 11, 1876, to Mar. 11, 1878; with U. S. Commissioner-General at the Paris Exposition, to Oct., 1878; on delay, Oct. 29, 1878, to Feb., 1879; as Member of Retiring Board to June 7, 1879; and as Deputy-Governor
(Retired from Active Service, June 7, 1879, at his own request, having Served over 30 Years.)
of the Soldier's Home, near Washington city, Apr. 4 to Dec. 29, 1883.
Died, Dec. 30, 1885, at Thomasville, Ga.: Aged 68.
See Annual Association of Graduates, U. S. M. A., 1886, for an obituary notice.
