★ ★ Nelson, William

William "Bull" Nelson​

Born: September 27, 1824

Birthplace: Maysville, Kentucky

Father: Dr. Thomas Washington Nelson 1796 – 1849

(Buried: Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Kentucky)​

Mother: Frances Doniphan 1795 – 1845

(Buried: Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Kentucky)​

Education:

Attended Norwich University​

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1846: Graduated from United States Naval Academy​

Occupation before War:

1840 – 1846: Midshipman in United States Navy​

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Served on the U.S.S. Delaware​

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1846 – 1854: Passed Midshipman in United States Navy​

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Served on the U.S.S. Rairtan ​

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1847: Served in the Siege of Veracruz, Mexico, with Naval Battery No. 5​

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1847: Served in the Second Tabasco Expedition​

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1849 – 1851: Served with Mediterranean Squadron​

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1851: Acting Lt. on the U.S.S. Mississippi, an Escort of Kossuth's tour​

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1854 – 1855: Sailing Master for United States Navy​

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1855 – 1861: Lt. in United States Navy​

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1858: Joined the U.S.S. Niagara for mission, returning Captured Slaves​

Civil War Career:

1861: Detached from U.S. Navy to organize 10,000 soldiers in Eastern Tennessee​

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1861 – 1862: Brigadier General of Union Army, Volunteers​

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1862: Division Commander in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee​

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1862: Division Commander in the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi​

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1862: Major General of Union Army, Volunteers​

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1862: Wounded in the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky​

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1862: Killed at the Galt House by Brig. General Jefferson C. Davis​

Died: September 29, 1862

Place of Death: Galt House, Louisville, Kentucky

Cause of Death: Gun Shot wound to the right breast

Age at time of Death: 38 years old

Burial Place: Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Kentucky

 

[Pollaco]

In my many years of following the Civil War I cant say I've ever seen a Picture of Nelson. Or I have seen one and didn't recall what he looked like, it's easy to see why he was nicknamed "Bull". The General who shot him was assisting Nelson in the defense of Louisville.It is said they had "altercations" before the incident.Anyone have any details? Oh, General Jefferson C. Davis was soon released because no officers be spared for a court-martial. There is a book about the incident by James B. Fry "Killed by a a Brother Soldier".

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Birthday (September 27th) week to Major General William "Bull" Nelson! Salutes remembering General Nelson on the week of his birthday.

 

[JerryD]

I have always marveled at how Davis basically got away with murder. However, its interesting to note that one of the newspaper accounts say all witnesses found Davis was justified in using deadly force in response to an insult and a slap. Another instance of changing moral standards? If someone insulted you and slapped you in the face it was ok to walk up behind them and shoot them with little to no warning?