Major Nelson Weaver Crisler
Born: 12 September, 1830 Madison Co., Virginia
Died: 14 April, 1902 Madison Co. Virginia
Buried: Cedar Hill Cemetery Madison Co. Virginia

Major Nelson Weaver Crisler, C.S.A., 7th Virginia Infantry Regiment (Richardson’s Guards), Kemper’s Brigade, Pickett’s Division, Longstreet’s Corps. The picture above was made while he was at home on leave shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg.

“Nels” Crisler was commissioned a 3rd Lieutenant of Infantry in the Virginia Militia of Madison and Culpepper Counties (Richardson’s Guards) in 1858. When Virginia seceded from the Union on April 16, 1861, the Madison and Culpepper Counties Militia became the 7th Virginia Infantry Regiment of “Kemper’s Brigade”. Nelson Weaver Crisler was promoted from 3rd Lieutenant to Captain and was later made “Regimental Quartermaster”.

Later, while at home recuperating from an illness, then Captain Crisler received word that he had been declared away without leave. His letter to the Adjutant General explaining the reason for his absence absolved him of this charge. He was reinstated, promoted to Major and made Major General James Kemper’s Brigade Quartermaster. He continued in this position until the end of the war.

After the Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865 he returned home and spent the remainder of his life in public service. In about 1870 he became a Judge and County Clerk-Recorder of Madison County. He held this position until shortly before his death in 1902.
Major Crisler was a Master Mason and a member of Linn Banks Lodge No. 126 A.F. & A.M. of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was elected and served as Worshipful Master of this Lodge for several terms.