William "Bull" Nelson
| William "Bull" Nelson | |
|---|---|
Major General William "Bull" Nelson
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Bull" |
| Born |
September 27, 1824 Maysville, Kentucky |
| Died | September 29, 1862 (aged 38) Louisville, Kentucky |
| Place of burial | Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Kentucky |
| Allegiance |
 United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy Union Army
|
| Years of service | 1840–1861 (Navy) 1861–1862 (Army) |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant Commander (Navy) Major General (Army) |
| Battles/wars | |
William "Bull" Nelson (September 27, 1824 – September 29, 1862) was a United States naval officer who became a Union general in the Civil War.
As a Kentuckian, Nelson could sympathize with the Confederates, but threw in his lot with the North, and Secretary of Treasury Salmon P. Chase believed Nelson's actions had kept Kentucky loyal, promoting him brigadier general in September 1861. His 4th Division bore the brunt of heavy fighting at Shiloh and took part in the Siege of Corinth, Nelson being the first man to enter the town. Wounded at the Battle of Richmond, Nelson was forced to retreat to Louisville, to plan a new assault.
It was here that General Jefferson C. Davis, still officially on sick leave, reported to Nelson, who was dissatisfied with his performance, and insulted him in front of witnesses. A few days later, Davis demanded an apology, but the two officers came to blows, and Davis mortally wounded Nelson with a pistol. The incident has overshadowed Nelson's contribution to the Union cause.
William Nelson was the third and youngest son of Dr. Thomas W. Nelson (1796–1849) and Frances Doniphan (1795–1845) of Maysville, Kentucky. He attended Maysville Academy (Seminary) and was enrolled in Norwich University at age thirteen. Two years later, Nelson's preparatory training at the Vermont military school concluded when Congressman Garrett Davis secured an appointment for him to become a midshipman in the United States Navy. In the spring of 1840, Nelson reported for training aboard the USS Delaware. For the next five years he sailed the South Pacific under the leadership of harsh, overbearing, and insensitive brutes. Nelson then joined the first class to attend the newly established Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. On July 11, 1846 Nelson became a passed midshipman and the following October, he reported for duty aboard the USS Raritan, the flagship for the Home Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico. At the Siege of Veracruz, he served with Naval Battery No. 5, and on the second Tabasco Expedition, Nelson was a member of the Second Artillery Division. In February 1848, he became acting master of the USS Scourge. At the conclusion of his service, Nelson received a sword for heroism and proficiency as an artillerist. In the summer of 1849, he joined the Mediterranean Squadron, and on September 1, 1851, he was acting lieutenant of the USS Mississippi when exiled Hungarian revolutionary Louis Kossuth boarded the vessel to come to the United States. In December, Nelson became an escort for the Magyar's famous tour of the United States. On September 19, 1854 he was promoted to sailing master and the following April 18, 1855 achieved the rank of lieutenant. In September 1858, Nelson joined the USS Niagara for the mission of returning captured slaves to Monrovia, Liberia. Two years later, he was at the Washington Navy Yard as an ordnance officer.
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