William "Bull" Nelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William "Bull" Nelson
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Major General William "Bull" Nelson
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| Nickname(s) | "Bull" |
| Born | September 27, 1824 Maysville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 29, 1862 (aged 38) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Place of burial |
Maysville Cemetery
Maysville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy Union Army |
| Years of service | 1840–1861 (Navy) 1861–1862 (Army) |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Commander (Navy) Major General (Army) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy Class of 1846 |
William "Bull" Nelson (September 27, 1824 – September 29, 1862) was an officer in the United States Navy. He later became a Union general during the American Civil War.
Even though he was from Kentucky, Nelson stayed loyal to the United States, just like his home state. A top government official, Salmon P. Chase, believed Nelson's actions helped keep Kentucky on the Union side. Because of this, Nelson was promoted to brigadier general in September 1861. His division fought bravely at the Battle of Shiloh and was part of the Siege of Corinth. He was the first soldier to enter Corinth.
Nelson was injured at the Battle of Richmond and had to go back to Louisville to plan new attacks. While there, General Jefferson C. Davis reported to him. Nelson was unhappy with Davis's work and insulted him. A few days later, Davis asked for an apology, but the situation quickly turned into a fight. Davis ended up shooting Nelson, who died from his injuries.
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William "Bull" Nelson was the youngest of three sons. His parents were Dr. Thomas W. Nelson and Frances Doniphan. They lived in Maysville, Kentucky. William went to Maysville Academy and then to Norwich University when he was 13 years old.
When he was 15, Nelson's training at the military school ended. A representative named Garrett Davis helped him become a midshipman in the United States Navy. In the spring of 1840, Nelson began his training on the USS Delaware. For the next five years, he sailed in the South Pacific.
Nelson then joined the first group of students at the new United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. On July 11, 1846, he became a passed midshipman. The next October, he served on the USS Raritan in the Gulf of Mexico. During the Mexican–American War, he fought at the Siege of Veracruz and the second Tabasco Expedition.
In February 1848, he became acting master of the USS Scourge. After his service, Nelson received a special sword for being brave and skilled with artillery. In 1849, he joined the Mediterranean Squadron. On September 1, 1851, he was an acting lieutenant on the USS Mississippi. This ship carried the Hungarian revolutionary Lajos Kossuth to the United States. Nelson later helped escort Kossuth on his famous tour of the U.S.
He was promoted to sailing master on September 19, 1854, and to lieutenant on April 18, 1855. In September 1858, Nelson joined the USS Niagara. This ship's mission was to return captured slaves to Monrovia, Liberia. Two years later, he worked as an ordnance officer at the Washington Navy Yard.
Civil War Service
Kentucky's Loyalty and Nelson's Role
After Abraham Lincoln became president, US Navy Lieutenant William Nelson met with him. Nelson was a strong, confident person. He had served in the Navy for over 21 years. He was known for being smart and having a great memory. He could talk well and was friendly when he wanted to be. But if he got annoyed, he could be very bossy.
Lincoln saw that Nelson, who had Southern ties, could be important. Lincoln asked Nelson to check the feelings in his home state of Kentucky. On May 3, 1861, Nelson returned with a plan to give weapons to Union supporters in Kentucky. Lincoln knew he had found the right person.
Nelson worked with Joshua Fry Speed in Louisville to give out weapons. The Secretary of War sent 5,000 old rifles to help the Union Home Guard. On July 1, 1861, Nelson left the Navy. He was told to create an army of 10,000 soldiers for an expedition into East Tennessee. Two weeks later, Nelson met with Union leaders in Kentucky. They agreed to raise many companies of soldiers.
They chose a good spot for a training camp called Camp Dick Robinson. This was against Kentucky's neutral position at the time. On August 5, 1861, Kentucky voters elected many people who supported the Union. This meant that most of the state's government now supported the Union.
A US Representative, Charles A. Wickliffe, told others that Kentucky was "wholly for the Union." Salmon P. Chase believed Nelson's actions were key to keeping Kentucky loyal. So, Nelson became a brigadier general on September 16, 1861. He then formed a new group of soldiers. Near the end of October, these troops defeated Confederate forces. On November 8, Nelson fought the Confederates at the Battle of Ivy Mountain. This battle marked the end of the Big Sandy expedition.
Battles of Nashville and Shiloh
In late November 1861, Nelson joined the Army of the Ohio in Louisville. This army was led by Don Carlos Buell. Nelson was in charge of the Fourth Division. His unit was the first to enter Nashville on February 25, 1862. After Union troops took Nashville, a sea captain named William Driver met General Nelson. Driver had hidden his U.S. flag, nicknamed "Old Glory," from Confederate soldiers. He asked Nelson to fly this famous flag over the capitol building. Nelson agreed, and the flag flew there for a day before being returned to Driver.
The next month, Buell was ordered to join General Ulysses S. Grant in Savannah, Tennessee. Nelson's troops led the way. Nelson arrived in Savannah on April 5, 1862. The next morning, the Confederates attacked Union troops near Shiloh Church. Grant ordered Nelson to move his troops to Pittsburg Landing. By late afternoon, the Confederates had pushed the Union army back close to the Tennessee River.
Nelson's fresh troops arrived around 5:30 PM. They helped strengthen Grant's left side and stopped the last two Confederate attacks of the day. On Monday morning, Nelson's Fourth Division led the Union counterattack. By late afternoon on April 7, 1862, the Confederates left, and the fighting ended.
A soldier named Ebenezer Hannaford, who served under Nelson, wrote that Nelson's troops trusted him greatly. They might not have liked his harsh ways, but they respected that he would scold officers who didn't do their job.
Siege of Corinth and Richmond
Nelson's division played a big part in the Siege of Corinth. On May 21, Nelson ordered his soldiers to take control of high ground near the Widow Surratt House. On May 28, Nelson captured a Confederate crossing over Bridge Creek. This was the last important action of the siege.
Nelson was the first to enter the city of Corinth on May 30, 1862. He then had a disagreement with General John Pope about who should get credit for taking the town. Later, Nelson was part of a difficult advance against Chattanooga. He had to lead his infantry against enemy cavalry. The Confederate invasion of Kentucky then brought him back to Louisville.
The Army of the Ohio, led by General Don Carlos Buell, was trying to reach Chattanooga, Tennessee. Confederate forces kept tearing up the railway lines, which were needed to supply Union troops. So, Buell had to send General William "Bull" Nelson back to Kentucky to take charge there. When Nelson arrived in Louisville, he found that Major General Horatio Wright had been sent by Lincoln to take control.
In late August, two Confederate armies moved into Kentucky and Tennessee. They wanted to drive Union forces out of Kentucky. Wright ordered Nelson to defend Lexington, Kentucky. On August 23, 1862, Confederate cavalry defeated Union troops at the Battle of Big Hill. This was before a bigger battle. On August 29, 1862, parts of the Confederate army met Nelson's forces.
The two-day Battle of Richmond, ending on August 30, was a big Confederate victory. The Union suffered many losses, and important cities like Lexington and Richmond were lost. Nelson was injured in the neck and went back to Louisville to get ready for more attacks.
Nelson's Death in Louisville
In the late summer of 1862, General Jefferson C. Davis became ill from exhaustion. He asked for a few weeks off duty. On August 12, 1862, he was given 20 days to rest. Davis went home to Indiana to recover.
While Davis was away, the situation in Kentucky became very serious. Confederates were taking control of much of the state. Around September 18, Davis reported to General Wright in Cincinnati to offer his help. Wright told Davis to report to Nelson.
By September 18, Davis had recovered enough to return to duty. He was to help defend Louisville from the Confederate threat. On September 20, Davis reported to Nelson. Nelson was a very large man, weighing 300 pounds and standing six feet two inches tall. He was called "Bull" because of his size. Davis was much smaller, about five feet nine inches tall and 125 pounds. Nelson ordered Davis to organize and arm the people of Louisville for defense.
On September 22, Davis was called to the Galt House, where Nelson had his headquarters. Nelson asked about the recruitment efforts. Davis said he didn't know the details. Nelson became very angry and told Davis to leave Louisville. General James Barnet Fry, a friend of Davis, was there. He later wrote about what happened.
Fry said that Davis calmly told Nelson, "General Nelson, I am a regular soldier, and I demand the treatment due to me as a general officer." Davis then called Dr. Irwin to witness the conversation. Nelson said, "I will treat you as you deserve. You have disappointed me; you have been unfaithful... I shall relieve you at once. You are relieved from duty here and you will proceed to Cincinnati and report to General Wright." Davis replied, "You have no authority to order me." Nelson then told his adjutant that if Davis didn't leave the city by 9 PM, he should be forced across the Ohio River.
Davis went to Cincinnati and reported to Wright. Soon after, Buell returned to Louisville and took command from Nelson. Wright then felt Davis was needed in Louisville and sent him back.
Davis arrived in Louisville on Sunday afternoon, September 28. The next morning, he went to the Galt House for breakfast. Many military and civilian leaders met there. Davis saw many familiar faces and joined the governor of Indiana, Oliver P. Morton.
A short time later, Nelson entered the hotel. Davis approached Nelson and asked for an apology for the earlier insult. Nelson turned and went to his room.
This started a chain of events. Davis went down the hall to Nelson's office, where Nelson was now standing. The shooting happened at 8:00 AM, and by 8:30 AM, Nelson had passed away.
Davis did not try to escape. He was taken into military custody by Fry and kept in a room at the Galt House. Davis told Fry what happened. Fry wrote that Davis was treated unfairly for his rank, but Davis never took legal action. Fry said Davis was very open about the events. Davis wanted to confront Nelson publicly.
Many people close to Nelson wanted quick action against Davis. Even Buell said Davis's actions were wrong. Buell sent a message to Henry Halleck, the General in Chief of all Armies. He said that Davis was arrested for Nelson's death and should have a trial. However, Buell said he couldn't spare officers for a court.
It was Major General Horatio Wright who helped Davis. Wright arranged for Davis's release and return to duty. Davis was not punished for Nelson's death because the Union Army needed experienced commanders. Fry wrote that Wright believed Davis acted in self-defense. Wright also noted that Buell didn't take further action after arresting Davis.
There was no formal trial or long imprisonment for Davis. He seemed to stay at the Galt House without a guard. Within two weeks of Nelson's death, Davis returned to duty as if nothing had happened.
The next afternoon, Nelson was buried at Cave Hill Cemetery. Early the next day, Buell began moving the Army of the Ohio against the Confederates.
Two days later, Buell asked Halleck for a military court to try Davis. Halleck sent the matter to Major General Horatio G. Wright. Halleck noted that since Buell hadn't filed any charges, Davis should return to duty. The matter was dropped. The only attempt to prosecute Davis happened in a local court, but it was removed from the records years later.
On June 12, 1863, a new supply depot in Kentucky was named Camp Nelson to honor William Nelson. On March 8, 1872, Nelson's family plot in Maysville Cemetery became his final resting place. Today, Camp Nelson National Cemetery also honors his memory.
Because of this event, Davis was never promoted to major general in the regular Army, even though he held that rank temporarily. After the Civil War, he returned to his permanent rank of colonel. Davis continued to serve in the military until he died. He was the first military governor of Alaska after the U.S. bought it. He died in Chicago in 1879, still a colonel. He said before his death that because of the incident with Nelson, he was never promoted beyond colonel.
