William "Bull" Nelson

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months. He performed shore and other duty for over four years, and was nearly five years unemployed, making a total of twenty-one years of service" to his nation. A "striking figure" who carried his weight "lightly," he "was endowed with a strong intellect and a memory which enabled him to repeat, verbatim, page after page of his favorite authors." Nelson was a "fluent and captivating talker, and when he wished to please, no man could be more congenial and companionable." Conversely, when he was "irritated or opposed," the veteran of the Old Navy could become disgustingly "dictatorial and dogmatic." He had a natural affinity for the Southern way of life, and Lincoln could see that subversive elements might want to court such a "warm hearted, handsome," and "aristocratic" individual who gave the impression of someone who was apt to "cast his lot" with slaveholders. At the request of Lincoln, Nelson measured the political currents of his native state and returned to the Executive Mansion on May 3, 1861, with "his plan for furnishing arms to the Kentucky Unionists." It was apparent to Lincoln that he had found the right man.

775: 625:. Nelson arrived at Savannah on Saturday, April 5, 1862, and at dawn the following morning, the enemy assaulted Federal troops below Shiloh Church. That morning, Grant ordered Nelson and Wallace to advance to Pittsburg Landing. By 4:30 p.m., the Confederates had driven the Union army back toward Pittsburg Landing within a mile of the Tennessee River. Fresh troops under Nelson reached the Union line around 5:30 PM, and reinforced Grant's left flank and helped repulse the final two Confederate charges of the day. On Monday morning, Nelson's Fourth Division along with Hurlbut's division led the Union counterattack on Grant's left flank. Late in the afternoon on April 7, 1862, the Confederates withdrew, and the bloodiest fighting that had ever occurred in the 791:

hole in the heart, mortally wounding the large man. Nelson still had the strength to make his way to the hotel stairs and climb a floor before he collapsed. By then, a crowd started to gather around him and carried Nelson to a nearby room, laying him on the floor. The hotel proprietor, Silas F. Miller, came rushing into the room to find Nelson lying on the floor. Nelson asked of Miller, "Send for a clergyman; I wish to be baptized. I have been basely murdered." Reverend J. Talbot was called, who responded, as well as a doctor. Several people came to see Nelson, including Reverend Talbot, Surgeon Murry, General Crittenden, and General Fry. The shooting had occurred at 8:00 a.m., and by 8:30 a.m., he was dead.

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to this conversation." At the same time Nelson said: "Yes, doctor, I want you to remember this." Davis then said to Nelson: "I demand from you the courtesy due to my rank." Nelson replied: "I will treat you as you deserve. You have disappointed me; you have been unfaithful to the trust which I reposed in you, and I shall relieve you at once. You are relieved from duty here and you will proceed to Cincinnati and report to General Wright." Davis said: "You have no authority to order me." Nelson turned toward the Adjutant-General and said, "Captain, if General Davis does not leave the city by nine o'clock tonight, give instructions to the Provost-Marshal to see that he shall be put across the Ohio River."

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south end of the turnpike in Garrard County and was at the head of the Wilderness Road, 65 mi north of the Cumberland Gap at the old inn at Bryant Springs, the first headquarters, and it was agreed the leaders would raise thirty companies of infantry and five of cavalry. Thomas E. Bramlette had one company in camp on July 20 and another on July 24, 1861. Some seven miles north of Lancaster and twelve miles from the rail depot at Nicholasville, Jessamine County, Richard M. Robinson offered to lease 425 acres of first-class rolling pastureland at Hoskins Crossroads. Nelson considered that to be as a much better site for a camp of instruction, and the new recruits were marched into

230: 242: 206: 278: 894: 1810: 613:

sea captain who had retired to Nashville and remained loyal to the Union. Driver had in his possession the U.S. flag nicknamed "Old Glory" which he had hidden from rebel marauders. He requested that this famous flag be flown over the capitol building to signify the state was now held by the Union. Nelson granted the request and the flag, after flying over the capitol for a day, was returned to its loyal owner. The next month, Buell received orders to join Brigadier General

268: 783:

registration card and, while he confronted Nelson, took his anger out on the card, first by gripping it and then wadding it up into a small ball, which he took and flipped into Nelson's face, the way that a child would flip a marble. Nelson stepped forward and slapped Davis with the back of his hand in the face. Nelson then looked at the governor and asked, "Did you come here, sir, to see me insulted?" Morton said, "No sir." Then, Nelson turned and left for his room.

412: 579:

state legislature) who supported the Union. Colonel Speed S. Fry marched a detachment of the Second Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry (later the Fourth) toward Camp Dick Robinson, and at dusk, the First Regiment Kentucky Cavalry welcomed them with a salute from a mountain howitzer. The next day, US Representative Charles A. Wickliffe informed his colleagues in the House that Kentucky "is wholly for the Union." US Secretary of Treasury

25: 686:. Three hundred miles of railway lines lay between Louisville and Chattanooga, and Confederate forces were making constant work in tearing up the tracks. The railroads provided the needed supplies to Union troops on the move. Consequently, Buell was forced to split his forces and to send General William "Bull" Nelson back north to Kentucky to take charge of the area. When Nelson arrived in Louisville, he found Major General 133: 795:

pursued any legal recourse, which was available to him. Fry attested that Davis was quite forthcoming and even included the fact that it was he who flipped a paper wad in Nelson's face. Davis wanted to confront Nelson publicly and wanted Nelson's disrespect witnessed. What Davis had not accounted for was Nelson's physical assault. Everything spiraled out of control.

709:, ending on August 30, was an overwhelming Confederate victory in all aspects: Union casualties numbered over 5,000, compared to the 750 Confederate casualties, and considerable ground was lost, including the cities of Lexington, Richmond, and Frankfort, the state capital. Further losses at the battle occurred with the capture of Brigadier General 832:. Fry stated in his journal, of Wright's comments, "Davis appealed to me, and I notified him that he should no longer consider himself in arrest.... I was satisfied that Davis acted purely on the defensive in the unfortunate affair, and I presumed that Buell held very similar views, as he took no action in the matter after placing him in arrest." 882:. After the Civil War, he returned to his permanent rank of colonel. Davis continued in military service until his death. He was the first military governor of Alaska after its purchase. He died in Chicago in 1879, still with the rank of colonel. He stated before his death that it was because of Nelson he never saw promotion beyond colonel. 742:

stature. Nelson was 300 pounds and six feet two inches and was described as being "in the prime of life, in perfect health." Davis was quite small in comparison, measuring five feet nine inches and reportedly only 125 pounds. Nelson ordered Davis to take charge of organizing and arming the citizens of Louisville to prepare for its defense.

749:, where Nelson had made his headquarters. Nelson inquired how the recruitment was going and how many men had been mustered. Davis replied that he did not know. As Nelson asked his questions, receiving only short answers that Davis was unaware of any specifics, Nelson became enraged and expelled Davis from Louisville. General 403:, 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 a public apology, however, the situation rapidly escalated into a physical confrontation, which concluded in Davis mortally wounding Nelson with a pistol. 1137:

6 vols. (Cincinnati, 1883–95); also see 37 page extract at Cincinnati Historical Society, p. 6 ("warm-hearted"); Robert M. Kelly, "Holding Kentucky," Kelly, Robert M. "Holding Kentucky for the Union" in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Robert Underwood Johnson and Clarence C. Buel, eds. 4 vols.

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Davis did not leave the vicinity of Nelson. He did not run or evade capture. He was simply taken into military custody by Fry and confined to an upper room in the Galt House. Davis attested to Fry what had happened. Fry wrote that while Davis was improperly treated for a man of his rank, Davis never

766:

Davis arrived in Louisville in the afternoon on Sunday, September 28, and reported to the Galt House early the next morning, at breakfast time. The Galt House continued to serve as the command's headquarters for both Buell and Nelson. That, like on most other mornings, was the meeting place for many

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believed that Nelson's actions were responsible for keeping Kentucky loyal to the Union and saw that Nelson became a brigadier general on September 16, 1861. He then organized a new brigade at Camp Kenton, three miles below Maysville, and marched them to Olympian Springs, Bath County, Kentucky. Near

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On August 5, 1861, Union men in Kentucky elected 75 men to the House of Representatives who were opposed by the 24 men in the States' Rights movement. In the Senate, the Unionists elected 27 men, who were opposed by 11 States' Rights men. Thus, out of 138 seats, there were now 103 (75 percent of the

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if he had a pistol, which he did not. He then asked another friend, Thomas W. Gibson, from whom he got a pistol. Immediately, Davis went down the corridor towards Nelson's office, where he was now standing. He aimed the pistol at Nelson and fired. The bullet hit Nelson in the chest and tore a small

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Davis arose and remarked, in a cool, deliberate manner, "General Nelson, I am a regular soldier, and I demand the treatment due to me as a general officer." Davis then stepped across to the door of the Medical Director's room, both doors being open... and said: "Dr Irwin, I wish you to be a witness

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at Louisville. Nelson commanded the Fourth Division and that unit became the first to enter Nashville on February 25, 1862. After Union troops recaptured Nashville, the capitol building was held by the 6th Ohio Infantry. It was there that Brigadier General Nelson was approached by William Driver, a

570:

On July 1, 1861, Nelson was detached from the Navy with instructions to organize a force of 10,000 troops for an expedition into East Tennessee. Two weeks later, Nelson spoke with Union leaders from southeastern Kentucky at Lancaster and Crab Orchard. The latter town was conveniently located at the

558:

The second day after the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, US Navy Lieutenant William Nelson walked into the Executive Mansion with the peculiar manner of Kentuckians that said: "Here I am; if you don't like me, the worse for you." The imposing personality had served at sea for "twelve years and six

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By September 18, Davis had recuperated to the point that he could resume command of the forces defending against the Confederate threat to Louisville. On September 20, Davis reported to Nelson. Nelson was quite an imposing figure over Davis. Nelson got his nickname, "Bull," in no small part to his

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became ill, probably caused by exhaustion. He wrote to his commander, General Rosecrans, requesting a few weeks leave. Davis stated, "After twenty one months of arduous service... I find myself compelled by physical weakness and exhaustion to ask... for a few weeks respite from duty...." On August

1033:

Abstracts of Service Records of Naval Officers 1798–1893. v. 1. July 1840 to December 1845, Microfilm Publication No. 330, Roll 6, Record Group (RG) 45, National Archives (NAB, Washington, DC; Letters Received Accepting Appointments as Commissioned and Warrant Officers, April 20, 1812, to October

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should be returned to duty, and the matter was dropped. The only effort to prosecute Davis took place in the Jefferson County Circuit; it was removed from the docket several years later. On June 12, 1863, authorities honored the victim by naming the new supply depot in Jessamine County, Kentucky,

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Two days later, Buell sent a wire to Halleck in Washington to ask for a military tribunal to try Davis for killing Nelson. Halleck referred the matter to Major General Horatio G. Wright in Cincinnati and made the observation that since Buell had never proffered any charges to his attention, Davis

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Davis made his way to Cincinnati and reported to Wright within a few days. Within the same week, Buell returned to Louisville and took command from General Nelson. Then, Wright felt that with Buell in command at Louisville, there was no need to keep Davis from Louisville, where his leadership was

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over who deserved credit for occupying the abandoned town. Several weeks later, Nelson was caught up in an ill-fated advance against Chattanooga that put him in the unenviable position of going against enemy cavalry with overburdened infantry. The Confederate invasion of Kentucky then brought him

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In all, there was no trial and significant confinement since it would appear that Davis was staying at the Galt House without guard, as is based partly on Wright's statement. Within two weeks of the murder, Davis simply walked away and returned to duty unpunished as if nothing had ever happened.

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Brigadier-General Davis is under arrest at Louisville for the killing of General Nelson. His trial by a court-martial or military commission should take place immediately, but I can't spare officers from the army now in motion to compose a court. It can perhaps better be done from Washington....

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A short time later, Nelson entered the hotel and went to the front desk. Davis approached Nelson, asking for an apology for the offense that Nelson had previously given. Nelson dismissed Davis by saying, "Go away you damned puppy, I don't want anything to do with you!" Davis took in his hand a

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with Sedgewick's brigade. That was the last significant action of the siege and put Nelson's division in close proximity to Corinth itself. Nelson was therefore the first to enter the city on May 30, 1862, and he immediately became embroiled in a disgraceful fight with Brigadier General

705:. On August 23, 1862, Confederate cavalry met and defeated Union troops at the Battle of Big Hill. That was only a prelude to the bigger battle ahead: on August 29, 1862, portions of Smith's army met an equal portion of Nelson's force, numbering between 6,000 and 7,000. The two-day 729:

While Davis was on leave, the state of affairs in Kentucky became quite precarious. Davis was quite aware of the circumstances in the neighboring state to the south, the Battle of Richmond, and Confederates taking control of much of the state. Smith was able to strike at

701:, moved into Kentucky and Tennessee on the offensive to drive Union forces from Kentucky. Smith's Army of East Tennessee had approximately 19,000 men, and Bragg's Army of Tennessee had approximately 35,000. Wright ordered Nelson to move to defend 584:

the end of October, those troops from Ohio and Kentucky routed the Confederates at Hazel Green and West Liberty. On November 8, Confederate troops, under Captain Andrew Jackson May, fought a delaying action against Nelson at the

507:. 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 640:, which might almost be said to have been his own creation." Those men had no love for the harsh ways of "Big Buster," but they genuinely valued his willingness to chastise officers openly who shirked their responsibilities. 566:

in Louisville, and as he headed off, Secretary of War Simon Cameron released 5,000 ancient Prussian flintlocks that had been converted into percussion cap rifles to shift the balance of power to the Union Home Guard.

802:, wanted to see Davis hanged on the spot. Even Buell stated that Davis's conduct was inexcusable. Fry stated that Buell regarded the actions as "a gross violation of military discipline." Buell went on to telegraph 726:

12, 1862, the Army of Mississippi issued Rosecrans's response in Special Order No. 208, authorizing General Davis 20 days of convalescence. Davis would head for home in Indiana to rest and recuperate.

738:, and Bragg and/or Smith at Louisville. On about September 18, Davis reported to General Wright, whose headquarters was in Cincinnati to offer his services. Wright ordered Davis to report to Nelson. 1147:

Thomas Speed, R. M. Kelly, and Alfred Pirtle, The Union Regiments of Kentucky, (Louisville, 1897), 99 (first quote); John G. Nicolay and John Hay, "Abraham Lincoln: A History. The Border States,"

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and the wounding of Nelson, injured in the neck, who retreated to Louisville to prepare for the presumed assault. The Confederates were now in a position to take the fight to the North.

1060:(DAB) 11 vols. New York, 1958–64)1: 566, 2: 206; James C. Bradford, ed., Captains of the Old Steam Navy: Makers of the American Naval Tradition, 1840–1880 (Annapolis, 1986), 94, 96. 828:

who would come to Davis's aid by securing his release and return to duty. Davis avoided conviction for the murder because there was a need for experienced field commanders in the

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boarded the vessel to come to the United States. In December, Nelson became an escort for Kossuth's famous tour of the United States. On September 19, 1854, he was promoted to

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believed Nelson's actions had kept Kentucky loyal and promoted him to brigadier general in September 1861. Nelson's 4th Division bore the brunt of heavy fighting at the

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under Nelson and wrote that "no commander during the war enjoyed the confidence of his troops in a greater degree than did Nelson at the head of the Fourth Division

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As a Kentuckian, Nelson could have sympathized with the Confederates but, like his state, he remained loyal to the United States of America. Secretary of Treasury

1909: 1207:

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774–1875 Congressional Globe, Senate, 37th Congress, 1st Session <

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As a result of the event, Davis was never raised from brigadier general to the rank of major general in the regular Army although he held the rank by

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Kentucky Unionists of 1861: Address of William Cassius Goodloe... read before the Society of ex-army and navy officers in Cincinnati, Ohio. April 1

1635: 1565: 1418: 1385: 1073:

Book 1 Classes of 1846–1917 (Annapolis, 1996); Student Records, Academic Board of Records, Class of 1846, 44, 128-31: RG 405, NA at Annapolis;

42: 1254:, Series 1, 2, 3. 70 vols. 128 serials (Washington: 1880–1901), Series 1, 4: 251–53, hereafter cited as OR Series, volume (part), and page. 753:, described as a close friend of Davis, was present and would later write an account of the events surrounding Nelson's death. Fry stated: 1176:, Series 1, 2, 3. 70 vols. 128 serials (Washington: 1880–1901), Series 1, 4: 251–53, hereafter cited as OR Series, volume (part), and page 907: 89: 1889: 767:

of the most prominent military and civil leaders. When Davis arrived and looked around the room, he saw many familiar faces and joined

61: 1924: 1265:

The Story of a Regiment: A History of the Campaigns and Association in the Field of the Sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry

68: 1904: 871:. On March 8, 1872, the family plot at Maysville Cemetery became Nelson's final resting place. Today, his memory is honored by 1208: 1775: 435:

William "Bull" Nelson was the third and youngest son of Dr. Thomas W. Nelson (1796–1849) and Frances Doniphan (1795–1845) of

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National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 94, Letters Sent and Received 1861–71, Thomas E. Bramlette (720B)

1919: 1894: 917: 271: 75: 860: 1438:"Special order no. 208, Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel [R].G. Kennett, headquarters, army of the Mississippi" 1435: 621:, and Nelson obtained the lead for that advance when Buell gave him permission to wade his men across the Duck River at 1024:

Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Norwich University for the Academic Year 1836–37 (Montpelier, 1837), 6, 12–14

440: 57: 1841: 108: 1929: 798:

Many in close confidence with Nelson wanted to see quick justice with regards to Davis. A few, including General

46: 872: 281: 1436:

Kennett, R.G., Lieutenant Colonel, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Army of the Mississippi (August 12, 1862).

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Two years later, Nelson's preparatory training at the Vermont military school concluded when Representative

1914: 662: 652:. On May 21 Nelson ordered a brigade, under Colonel Thomas D. Sedgewick, to seize the high ground near the 592:, abandoned Piketon (Pikeville, Kentucky). Early the next morning, Nelson's northern prong, under Colonel 500:, Nelson was a member of the Second Artillery Division. In February 1848, he became acting master of the 474: 349: 215: 82: 653: 971:

The events of late September 1862 had as many accounts of the events as there were witnesses to them.

962:

The events of late September 1862 had as many accounts of the events as there were witnesses to them.

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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

1174:

The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

787: 497: 305: 295: 35: 1782:

The Biographical Cyclopaedia and Portrait Gallery with an Historical Sketch of the State of Ohio

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6 vols. (Cincinnati, 1883–95); also see the 37-page extract at the Cincinnati Historical Society

657: 1135:

The Biographical Cyclopaedia and Portrait Gallery with a Historical Sketch of the State of Ohio

991:

The Biographical Cyclopaedia and Portrait Gallery with a Historical Sketch of the State of Ohio

683: 585: 508: 317: 1211:> Congressional Globe, August 6, 1861, page 458; OR Series 1, 4: 381 (remaining quotations) 745:

On September 22, two days after Davis's initial orders from Nelson, Davis was summoned to the

399:, Nelson was forced to retreat to Louisville to plan a new assault. It was there that General 1884: 1879: 1209:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llcg&fileName=057/llcg057.db&recNum=475

589: 542: 428: 180: 1248:

Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox Assistant Secretary of the Navy 1861–1865

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back to Louisville with instructions to reopen the lines of communication with Nashville.

8: 702: 622: 618: 478: 470: 463: 436: 277: 163: 778:

Murder of Nelson by General Davis in Louisville, sketch by R. Mosler for Harper's Weekly

1744: 1707: 1670: 1629: 1600: 1559: 1530: 1493: 1412: 1379: 1306: 922: 912: 868: 864: 848: 840: 722: 706: 694: 626: 572: 527: 501: 486: 444: 420: 400: 396: 374: 332: 312: 235: 1233:"Two Noted Civil War Recruiting Camps: A Look at Camp Dick Robinson and Camp Nelson," 1837: 1771: 1456: 1348: 1326: 879: 825: 687: 633: 523: 493: 482: 300: 1736: 1699: 1662: 1592: 1522: 1485: 1298: 1732: 1695: 1658: 1588: 1518: 1481: 1294: 1151:

36 (May 1888): 72; Daniel Stevenson, "General Nelson, Kentucky, and Lincoln Guns."

844: 768: 710: 679: 675: 649: 637: 614: 609: 605: 563: 389: 385: 327: 322: 799: 580: 381: 593: 519: 1873: 1443:. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. M0080_Box1_Folder4_1862-08-12_001 1110:

The Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson in Ralph Waldo Emerson Essays and Journal

852: 803: 698: 690:

had been sent by Lincoln to take control, which put Buell second in command.

515: 451: 370: 211: 944:

Some accounts say that Nelson slapped Davis twice with the back of his hand.

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A. N. Ellis, "Sketch of the Life of William Nelson, Maj.-Gen. U.S.A." in

750: 562:

Nelson was to work out details for a distribution of arms in Kentucky with

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A. N. Ellis, "Sketch of the Life of William Nelson, Maj.-Gen. U.S.A" in

575:, in violation of Kentucky's somewhat duplicitous position of neutrality. 596:, arrived at the town, which marked the end of the Big Sandy expedition. 829: 746: 731: 693:

In late August, two Confederate armies, under command of Major General

455: 424: 416: 344: 246: 473:. Nelson then joined the first class to attend the newly established 411: 1864: 1859: 1138:

Century Magazine. 1887. 1: 375 ("striking figure" though "dogmatic")

24: 534: 492:, the flagship for the Home Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico. At the 1801:

Stevenson, Daniel, "General Nelson, Kentucky, and Lincoln Guns,"

538: 462:. In the spring of 1840, Nelson reported for training aboard the 459: 132: 1784:

6 vols. (Cincinnati: Western Biographical Publishing Co., 1894).

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