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ALLISON NELSON
1822 – 1862
Allison Nelson was born March 11, 1822, in Fulton County, Georgia. He was trained as a lawyer, was a member of the Georgia legislature 1848-1849, and mayor of Atlanta in 1855. His primary interest was military affairs. During the Mexican War he recruited a company of volunteers of which he was elected captain. Later he espoused the cause of Cuban independence and attached himself to the forces of General Narcisco Lopez by whom he was appointed brigadier. He was in Kansas during the “border troubles” and moved to Bosque County, Texas, in 1856 where he rendered gallant service in the Indian campaigns just prior to the Civil War. He was elected to the Texas legislature in 1859 and to the secession convention in 1861. Nelson was instrumental in raising the 10th Texas Infantry for Confederate service and was elected colonel. This command reported to Gen T C Hindman in Arkansas, and took part in a minor engagement at DeVall’s Bluff on White River. Nelson was appointed brigadier general, September 12, 1862, upon the recommendation of Gen. Holmes. He was assigned to command his own brigade, 10th Texas Infantry, 15th, 17th, and 18th Texas Cavalry, Holmes’ infantry and Col. Flourney’s brigade. The after assignment, nelson fell ill of fever and died in camp near Austin, Arkansas, on October 7, 1862. He is buried in Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas, which was then the headquarters of the Trans-Mississippi Department.
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