★ Williams, Nelson Grosvenor

Nelson Grosvenor Williams​

Born: May 4, 1823

Birthplace: Bainbridge, New York

Father: Rev. Abraham Williams 1785 – 1839

Mother: Sarah Johnson 1793 –

Wife: Genevieve Willard Thompson 1844 – 1926

(Buried: Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York)​

Education:

1839 – 1840: Attended West Point Military Academy​

Occupation before War:

1840 – 1855: Importer in New York City, New York​

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1855: Moved to State of Iowa from New York​

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Storekeeper in Dubuque, Iowa​

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Farmer in Dyersville, Iowa​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1862: Colonel of 3rd​ Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment​

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1861: Charged with cowardice but acquitted after Court Martial​

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1862: Acted as Brigade Commander at Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee​

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1862: He was injured at Shiloh after his horse was shot fell on him​

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1862: Suffered from pain in both ears and sight in right eye diminish​

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1862: Paralyzed for a few weeks due to injured spine from his injury​

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1862: Suffered from diarrhea at Pittsburg Landing​

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1862: Sick with jaundice and severe diarrhea sent home to Iowa​

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1862: Resigned as Colonel in Union Army on November 27th​​

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1862: Appointed Brigadier General in Union Army on November 29th​​

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1862: United States Senate negated the appointment due to his resignation​

Occupation after War:

1862 – 1897: Suffered from severe pain in his ears at times​

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1862 – 1897: Suffered from decreased vision in one eye​

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1862 – 1897: Suffered from the effects of rheumatism​

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1862 – 1869: Farmer in Dyersville, Iowa​

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1869 – 1894: Deputy Collector of Customs in New York City, New York​

Died: November 30, 1897

Place of Death: Brooklyn, New York

Cause of Death: Disease of the heart, chronic bronchitis, cirrus of liver

Age at time of Death: 74 years old

Burial Place: Green – Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

 

[Pete Longstreet]

On July 10, 1861, Col. Williams was notified that four companies in his command were surrounded, by an overwhelming force and were in imminent danger, at Monroe, Missouri. He did not use due diligence in going to their rescue in "fear of meeting the enemy". In December of 1861, he was court martialed for events that happened in July and September of '61'. He was charged with cowardice, drunkenness on duty, neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to good order. He was later acquitted on all charges.

 

[Pollaco]

He received his commission as brigadier General on the 29th of November 1862 but had resigned on the 27th. . Therefore the commission was nullified.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Birthday (Wednesday) Brig. General Nelson G. Williams! Salutes remembering General Williams on his birthday week.

 

[Pollaco]

He received his commission as brigadier General on the 29th of November 1862 but had resigned on the 27th. . Therefore the commission was nullified.

The Senate realized the mistake and negated (nullified) Williams' commission on March 9, 1863.

 

[Pollaco]

Had he not dropped out due to poor grades in 1840, Williams would have been in the class of 1843 at West Point.That was Grant's class.