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| Union Maj. Gen. William “Bull” Nelson |
On Today’s date in 1862, Union Maj. Gen. William "Bull" Nelson, widely viewed as "overbearing, inconsiderate, tyrannical," and yes, "easily giving offense" (verily I say, 'tis indeed a man tuggin' at me own heart) was shot dead, murdered by Union Brig. Gen. Jefferson Davis – yup, same name, different side.
Very briefly, in August 1862 the traitors (I’m sorry, Tea Baggers – er crap, I’m sorry, why am I always doing that?), the Confederates under the Command of Confederate Lt. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, invaded Kentucky, a neutral border state that saw twice as many citizens volunteer to fight for the Union than for the Confederacy (60,000 for the North vs. 30,000 for the South and this disparity is part and parcel of the The Lost Cause mythology – forewarning how Tea Baggers and Fundamentalists re-write history to fit into their own exclusive narrative, but that's a different story entirely). Due in large measure to his political connections as well as his ability to raise and arm Kentucky volunteers, MG William “Bull” Nelson, a native Kentuckian and career naval officer, received a commission into the regular United States Army.
In command of the Department of the Ohio, Union Major General Horatio G. Wright ordered Nelson to defend the town of Richmond (south of Lexington) from the Confederate advance into the heart of the Bluegrass State (in reality, Kentucky's a Commonwealth, not a state but that's neither here nor there). After what is best described as thoroughly impressive Union defeat that saw Nelson wounded in the upper thigh during the August 29–30, 1862 Battle of Richmond (5,353 total Union casualities of which 206 were killed, 844 wounded, and 4,303 captured/missing compared to 451 total Confederate casualities of which 78 were killed, 372 wounded, and 1 missing) and Nelson reportedly slashing his sabre at soldiers fleeing from the Confederate advanced, the General traveled to Louisville to organize a defense of that city.
While in Louisville MG Nelson was approached by Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis who had been in Cincinnati recuperating from illness and had subsequently traveled to Louisville to offer his services to Nelson and assist in that city's defense. Nelson accepted Davis' services and was placed in charge of organizing a home guard militia. In hindsight, probably not the best tactical decision Nelson ever made. The two quickly agitated one another when Davis asked for arms but was apparently unable to provide an accurate troop count.
To be clear, there are numerous conflicting stories about what transpired. Moreover and although I seriously doubt the veracity of the reported exchange (if for no other reason than the recently living but subsequently deceased Nelson was unavailable profer his version of events), this is how the incident was reported in the October 18, 1862 Harper's Weekly:
GEN. NELSON: “How many men have you?”
Very briefly, in August 1862 the traitors (I’m sorry, Tea Baggers – er crap, I’m sorry, why am I always doing that?), the Confederates under the Command of Confederate Lt. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, invaded Kentucky, a neutral border state that saw twice as many citizens volunteer to fight for the Union than for the Confederacy (60,000 for the North vs. 30,000 for the South and this disparity is part and parcel of the The Lost Cause mythology – forewarning how Tea Baggers and Fundamentalists re-write history to fit into their own exclusive narrative, but that's a different story entirely). Due in large measure to his political connections as well as his ability to raise and arm Kentucky volunteers, MG William “Bull” Nelson, a native Kentuckian and career naval officer, received a commission into the regular United States Army.
In command of the Department of the Ohio, Union Major General Horatio G. Wright ordered Nelson to defend the town of Richmond (south of Lexington) from the Confederate advance into the heart of the Bluegrass State (in reality, Kentucky's a Commonwealth, not a state but that's neither here nor there). After what is best described as thoroughly impressive Union defeat that saw Nelson wounded in the upper thigh during the August 29–30, 1862 Battle of Richmond (5,353 total Union casualities of which 206 were killed, 844 wounded, and 4,303 captured/missing compared to 451 total Confederate casualities of which 78 were killed, 372 wounded, and 1 missing) and Nelson reportedly slashing his sabre at soldiers fleeing from the Confederate advanced, the General traveled to Louisville to organize a defense of that city.
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| Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis |
To be clear, there are numerous conflicting stories about what transpired. Moreover and although I seriously doubt the veracity of the reported exchange (if for no other reason than the recently living but subsequently deceased Nelson was unavailable profer his version of events), this is how the incident was reported in the October 18, 1862 Harper's Weekly:
GEN. NELSON: “How many men have you?”
DAVIS: “About twenty-five hundred men, General.”
NELSON (roughly and angrily): “About twenty-five hundred! About twenty-five hundred! By G—d! you a regular officer, and come here to me and report about the number of men in your command? G—d d—n you, don't you know, Sir, you should furnish me the exact number?"
DAVIS: “General, I didn't expect to get the guns now, and only wanted to learn if I could get them, and where; and, having learned the exact number needed, would then draw them.”
NELSON (pacing the room in a rage): “About twenty-five hundred! By G—d I suspend you from your command, and order you to report to General Wright; and I've a d—d mind to put you under arrest. Leave my room, Sir!”
Davis. “I will not leave, General, until you give me an order.”
NELSON. “The h—l you won't! By G—d I'll put you under arrest, and send you out of the city under a provost guard! Leave my room, Sir!”
Davis left Louisville crossing the Ohio River into Jeffersonville, Indiana where he joined BG Burbridge (also relieved by Nelson). Both traveled to Cincinnati where MG Wright ordered Davis to return to Kentucky and join Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell.
Davis returned to Louisville to meet with MG Buell. On September 29, 1862, Davis observed Nelson at the Galt House (the old, old Galt House – not the new, new Galt House) where he also found Indiana Governor Oliver Morton. Davis requested that the Indiana Governor witness his conversation with Nelson and then approached the General.
Davis accused Nelson of insulting his honor and abusing his authority. Nelson apparently put his hand to his ear, “Speak louder, I don't hear very well” (a sort of “I can’t hear you, I can’t you” gesture). Others say Davis threw something at Nelson who then back-handed Davis twice and proceeded to walk up a staircase.
While the stories appear to lack credibility, what is clear is that Davis walked away and purportedly went to the “ladies parlor” where he borrowed a revolver from a Captain Gibson (an acquaintance), returned, found Nelson, pulled out the revolver and shot Nelson in the chest. Nelson is reported to have exclaimed “I am shot,” grabbed onto a bystander and attempted to stagger up a staircase but collapsed. The mortally wounded General was carried to his room where died shortly thereafter. His last words after being baptized and expressing “great penitence” over “the many sins he had committed,” were that “It's all over.”
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| Drawing of Brig. Gen. Jefferson Davis shooting Maj. Gen. William "Bull" Nelson contained in the October 18, 1862 Harper's Weekly. |
Jefferson Davis was subsequently arrested and indicted for manslaughter. At the urging of Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright, Davis was later released. His case languished for sometime until the indictment was ultimately dismissed and by 1864, it was forgotten. Interestingly, Davis went on to march with Sherman to Atlanta and the Sea.
Below are photographs of various historic markers regarding MG Nelson (click on the pictures for a larger view):
Here’s a link to the October 18, 1962, Harpers Weekly that reported on Nelson’s murder:
Below are photographs of various historic markers regarding MG Nelson (click on the pictures for a larger view):
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| Historic marker in Louisville, Kentucky marking the site of the old Gault House giving mention to the "assassination" of Maj. Gen. William Nelson. |
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| Historic marker at the site of Camp Nelson in Jessamine County, Kentucky. Names in honor of Maj. Gen. Nelson on June 12, 1863, Camp Nelson was a Civil War supply depot and African American recruitment center. |
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| Marker at the Camp Nelson National Cemetery providing information about Maj. Gen. William "Bull" Nelson and his September 29, 1962 murder. |
Here’s a link to the October 18, 1962, Harpers Weekly that reported on Nelson’s murder:
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