The Murder of Civil War Major General William “Bull” Nelson

Question

Hi Wikitreers,

We have Union U.S. Civil War Major General William Nelson (1824 - 1862) who was a Kentuckian by birth having been born in or near Maysville, Kentucky September 27, 1824. 

He attended Norwich Academy (now Norwich University) in Vermont from 1836-1839. Apparently the only naval officer Union or Confederate to become a Civil War Major General!

He was active at the Battle of Shiloh while leading brigades in D.C. Buell’s Army of the Ohio. See profile for further on his military service.

The tragic death of this General is of noteworthy attention as the manner in which he died is very intriguing!

A month after the defeat at Richmond, Kentucky on August 30, 1862 in which he was wounded, he apparently was shot down in the Galt House in Louisville by fellow officer Brigadier General Jefferson C. Davis who felt he had been insulted on a prior occasion and whose face had been slapped a few moments before by Nelson. He passed away just minutes after and was buried at Maysville.

Some of his last words appear to be “Nelson asked of Miller, "Send for a clergyman; I wish to be baptized. I have been basely murdered." 

I’d like to get this Notable U.S. Civil War Major General who was murdered by his own connected.

Any further collaboration and insight into his last moments is appreciated

Thank you

Note: Is this the only U.S. Civil War General murdered by his own? Does the Hotel still exist?

See also YouTube titled “Ghosts of the Galt House” it appears the historic hotel may be haunted…

Answer 1

Nelson came from a powerful and aristocratic family. His brother, Thomas, was Envoy to Chile and to Mexico.

I created profiles for Nelson's mother and his brother, Thomas and his sister, Elizabeth.  I will fill out the bio for Thomas later.

Comments

Thank you Norman always a huge help in the Union Generals genealogy!

You did a great job on General Davis profile  and the collaboration in getting General Nelson connected is fantastic!

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Just a quick follow up of this General regarding marriage and children. No sources found to prove he married or had children.

His sister “Beth” and father died same year. 1849

Apparently “Cholera” was cause of death…added short obit link see fathers profile

Answer 2

What a fascinating story, Andrew! Reading about the Galt House on Wikipedia, it appears that the original hotel where the murder occurred burned down in 1865. It was rebuilt nearby in 1869 but demolished in 1921. The current Galt House was built in 1972.

I'll help work on connections for Major General William “Bull” Nelson.

CONNECTED! General Nelson is connected through his mother's grandfather, who already had a profile on WikiTree. Her sister also had a profile. All that was needed were profiles for his mother and maternal grandfather. 

Comments

Hi Star

Thank you much appreciated. I find the Galt House has a very fascinating history as well!

I still see history portrays him as a bully type of a man with a large build some reports say upwards several feet tall but appears he was 6’ 2” tall. I guess he was an intimidating kind of person and leader.

I’m so happy to see him connected. It’s really a disgrace how he died however and his last words are troubling I feel.

The fact General Davis never even was reprimanded is a bad reflection upon the leadership I feel…may he Rest In Peace he had a distinguished career!

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Andrew,

A sign of the times. The Union could not spare losing 2 generals. They let General Davis pass on murder because they were in dire need of generals at the time.

I suspect General Nelson must not have been very popular with with superiors. If he had been, they would have held General Davis accountable even though they needed generals.