Nelson Adair Cresap

Pictured is Private Nelson Adair Cresap, born in 1841 near Huntsville, Alabama while his family was moving west from Maryland to West Tennessee. His ancestors gave him many examples of protecting their home and freedom. These examples included their early settling of Western Maryland, fighting in the French and Indian War, and participating in the movement and war for American independence.

He joined the Confederate army on November 30, 1861, and was organized into the 47th Tennessee Regiment. He remained with this regiment through out the war. For most of the war, the regiment fought with Cheatham's Division, assigned to the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

He participated in the following major engagements: Shiloh, Kirby Smith's invasion of Kentucky, Richmond Ky., Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Dead Angle at Kennasaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville. Nelson received a promotion to Sergeant after the battle of Shiloh, to Second Lieutenant after Chickamauga and First Lieutenant after the Atlanta campaign.

During the regiment's re-enlistment in Jan 1864, General Hindman said "The spirit, in which these brave men enlisted, is an eloquent rebuke to the despondent. With men who thus prefer duty to ease, nothing is impossible in war." In the final reorganization of the Army of Tennessee there were to many officers for the number of enlisted men. Nelson Cresap volunteered to "Return to the ranks and take up a gun again." He surrendered with the army at Greensboro North Carolina in April 1865. At the surrender he was one of 13 remaining members of the 47th Infantry. The Regiment had started the war with about 1000 men.

He left Greensboro with a dollar and a quarter in his pocket and returned home to West Tennessee. During his return, he used the quarter for the ferry fare across the Tennessee River. On his return home, the dollar got a very special job. All of his children, all of his grandchildren, and most of his great grand children used this very special dollar for teething. After the war he became a banker and farmer in Humbolt Tennessee and was active in veteran affairs. Every April he took his grandchildren to the Shiloh battlefield for a tour of the battle and always assured that they understood his zeal for the cause of Southern Independence.

He died on December 19, 1935, in Humbolt Tennessee. His grave is in Shiloh cemetery in Gibson County Tennessee. At his death he was the oldest Confederate veteran in his county.

I am proud of my confederate ancestors and all the men and women who gave their all to drive invaders from their country. To remember Nelson Cresap, I have his war records, his picture in his uniform; his "D" handle Bowie knife, and the knowledge that his courageous blood flows through my veins. There are times when I feel too timid to stand up for what is right. During these situations, I picture the Army of Tennessee assaulting the fortified works at the battle of Franklin and I know that I have the courage to do what is right.

Submitted by Charles E. (Eddy) Cresap, John C. Pemberton Camp 1354, SCV, in honor of his Great Grand Father.