Nelson G. Williams
Encyclopedia
Nelson G. Williams was a New York City customs agent and Union Army
officer during the American Civil War
.
in 1839. He resigned a year later due to poor math grades. He worked as an importer in New York City before moving to Iowa in 1855. Finding work as a storekeeper in Dubuque
, Williams finally settled on a farm in Dyersville
.
in Missouri
becoming engaged in minor skirmishes there. In December 1861 Colonel Williams received a court-martial
for cowardice but was acquitted.
In February 1862 Hurlbut's command was added to Ulysses S. Grant
's Army of West Tennessee becoming the 4th Division. Williams assumed command of 1st Brigade and led at into action at the battle of Shiloh
. Early in the fighting Williams' horse was shot and fell on him and command of the brigade passed to Colonel Isaac C. Pugh
for the remainder of the battle. Williams spent several weeks recovering and resigned his commission on November 27, 1862. On November 29, 1862 Williams was appointed brigadier general. However, the U.S. Senate negated the appointed because he was no longer on active duty and Williams returned to civilian life.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
officer during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Early life
Williams was born in New York and was appointed to West PointUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1839. He resigned a year later due to poor math grades. He worked as an importer in New York City before moving to Iowa in 1855. Finding work as a storekeeper in Dubuque
Dubuque
-Places:United States* Dubuque, Iowa* Dubuque County, Iowa* Dubuque, Kansas* East Dubuque, Illinois* University of Dubuque* USS Dubuque-Surnames:* Julien Dubuque, a French Canadian who arrived near what now is known as Dubuque, Iowa...
, Williams finally settled on a farm in Dyersville
Dyersville, Iowa
Dyersville is a city in eastern Delaware and western Dubuque Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,035 at the 2000 census and was estimated to be 4,167 in 2006....
.
Civil War
Williams was commissioned colonel of the 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment on June 26, 1861. He served under Stephen A. HurlbutStephen A. Hurlbut
Stephen Augustus Hurlbut , was a politician, diplomat, and commander of the U.S. Army of the Gulf in the American Civil War.-Biography:...
in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
becoming engaged in minor skirmishes there. In December 1861 Colonel Williams received a court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
for cowardice but was acquitted.
In February 1862 Hurlbut's command was added to Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
's Army of West Tennessee becoming the 4th Division. Williams assumed command of 1st Brigade and led at into action at the battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
. Early in the fighting Williams' horse was shot and fell on him and command of the brigade passed to Colonel Isaac C. Pugh
Isaac C. Pugh
Isaac Campbell Pugh was a United States volunteer soldier who was a veteran of the Black Hawk War, Mexican War and American Civil War rising to the rank of Brevet brigadier general.-Early life:...
for the remainder of the battle. Williams spent several weeks recovering and resigned his commission on November 27, 1862. On November 29, 1862 Williams was appointed brigadier general. However, the U.S. Senate negated the appointed because he was no longer on active duty and Williams returned to civilian life.
Later life
Williams returned to his farm in Iowa and remained there until 1869 when Ulysses S. Grant appointed him deputy collector of customs in New York City. Williams held this position for 25 years. He died at his home in Brooklyn in 1897.Sources
- Eicher, John H., and David J. EicherDavid J. EicherDavid John Eicher is an American editor, writer, and popularizer of astronomy and space. He has been editor-in-chief of Astronomy magazine since 2002...
. Civil War High Commands. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3. - Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964. ISBN 0-8071-0822-7.