Maj. Gen. William "Bull" Nelson
Born: September 27, 1824
Maysville, Kentucky
Died: September 29, 1862
Louisville, Kentucky
Midshipman: January 28, 1840
Lieutenant USN: 1855
Brig. Gen. USA: September 16, 1861
Lt. Commander: USN: July 16, 1862
Maj. Gen. USA: July 17, 1862
Major General William "Bull" Nelson
Courtesy of Library of Congress
January 28, 1840: Enlisted in US Navy as a Midshipman
Mexican American War
March 14-28, 1847: Siege of Veracruz
April 1861: Made surveys of the political climate in Kentucky and reported his findings to President Lincoln
Established Camp Dick Robinson as a rallying place for pro-Union Kentuckians
September 16, 1861: Detailed for duty in the US Army as a Brigadier General -- Brigade Commander in the Department of the Cumberland
December 1861: Commander, 4th Division in Army of the Ohio
April 7, 1861: Battle of Shiloh
April 29 - June 10, 1862: Battle of Corinth
July 16, 1862: Promoted to Lt. Commander, USN
July 17, 1862: Promoted to Major General, USA
August 1862: Commander, Army of the Kentucky
August 29-30, 1862: Battle of Richmond, Kentucky -- Slightly wounded in the face
September 29, 1862: Shot and killed by fellow officer Brig. Gen. Jefferson Davis after being insulted by Nelson
Boatner, Mark M. III. The Civil War Dictionary. New York: David McKay, 1959. p 586
Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commander. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State, 1964. p 543-544