Capt. Philip Nelson, (CSA)

He first appears in the 1860 census living with his father, his first wife and his two children and two sisters in Lovingston. Shortly after this enumeration, Philip's first wife Emily died on Oct. 5, 1860 leaving him with two children ages 4 and 6. If he were indeed living with two sisters, they would have to have been Polly, age 24, and Mary, age 22. Polly married in 1867.

Philip Nelson first answered the call to arms in the early part of the Civil War by joining the Virginia Light Artillery in Capt. Archibald Graham's Company (Rockbridge Artillery) with his younger brother Kinloch. He traveled to an army camp near Manassas and enlisted on 27 July, 1861 for a 12 month period. His muster record shows him present almost continually from July 1861 until he was discharged, after furnishing a substitute, on August 11, 1862. Thus he left the artillery immediately after the battle of Cedar Mountain and before the campaign which led to Second Manassas. During the 12 ½ months of his service his unit was also involved in the Battles of Kernstown, Port Republic and Malvern Hill east of Richmond.

At about that time the health of his father may have been declining and he would have found it necessary to attend to the care of his two children and/or his ailing father. As early as 25 July 1863 the court found it necessary to appoint two trustees for Thomas F. Nelson. Since is cause of death was paralysis, he was likely incapacitated by this point. After he died on 9 April 1864, Philip was able to return to the army, this time joining the infantry. The Confederacy had become more desperate for manpower and the Substitute Law was repealed. The death of his father may have removed his last exemption. There is some speculation that his teacher status may have earlier have provided him with an exemption, but I have found no evidence of this in the Nelson Co. Court Order Books. At the time of the death of Philip's father, his children were ages 6 & 8. It is not clear what happened to them, but by the time of the next census they were not living with Philip and his new wife in Nelson Co. Since his sisters had also been living with him they may have cared for the two children either in Charlottesville or with other family back in Clarke County. Both at some point moved back to Clarke County to a home called "Brexton" where each lived out their lives. The daughter, Emily, never married.

At some point, perhaps October 1864, Philip enlisted in the 49th Virginia Company H. Richard Kleese's Regimental History records that during October, a contingent of recruits collected and conscripted in the Charlottesville area were assigned to the ranks of the Forty-ninth Virginia. They joined the ranks in camp near Harrisonburg on October 25th. They were reported to be for the most part good, dependable soldiers. Philip's first official record with the 49th is October 31and at that time Philip would have been 37 years old. Philip served as a private with Company H until he was paroled at Appomattox.

10 months later at age 39 he married the 34 year old Francis.

The 1870 census showed him as a farmer with real estate valued at $2,130 and personal property worth $345. They had one domestic servant, Maria Parker age 33, a black female. As noted below at some time he became a teacher.

Obituary - "Mr. Nelson left home on Saturday morning, apparently in his usual health, and went over to Mr. H.W. Massies Mill. After a short time in the mill, he went into Mr. Miller's store just across the road from the mill, and almost at once he complained of being sick, and becoming greatly nauseated. He was taken to Mr. Massie's house, Dr. Meeks and Drummond, and Mr. Nelson's family were summoned at once, and were very soon at his bedside, but despite all efforts he died about 12 o'clock Saturday night, quietly and apparently without pain.

For many years Mr. Nelson has been a resident of this county, where he has for the most part been engaged in teaching. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and a ripe scholar.

As a citizen, he always discharged his duties which devolved on him, conscientiously and fearlessly. He had many friends and no enemies. He was a vestryman in the Episcopal Church. He was buried at Level Green."