William " Bull " Nelson (September 27, 1824 – September 29, 1862) was a United States naval officer who became a Union general during the American Civil War .
115-670: 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 Salmon P. Chase 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 Battle of Shiloh and took part in the Siege of Corinth ; he
230-569: A midshipman in the US Navy . In the spring of 1840, Nelson reported for training aboard the USS ; Delaware . For the next five years, he sailed the South Pacific . Nelson then joined the first class to attend the newly established Naval Academy , at Annapolis, Maryland . On July 11, 1846, Nelson became a passed midshipman , and the next October, he reported for duty aboard the USS Raritan ,
345-474: A close friend of Davis, was present and would later write an account of the events surrounding Nelson's death. Fry stated: 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
460-545: A country home near Loveland, Ohio , and practiced law in Cincinnati from 1830. He rose to prominence for his authoritative compilation of the state's statutes, which long remained the standard work on the topic. From the beginning, despite the risk to his livelihood, he defended people who had escaped slavery and those who were tried for assisting them, notably the Matilda Case in 1837. He became particularly devoted to
575-655: A day, was returned to its loyal owner. The next month, Buell received orders to join Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant at Savannah, Tennessee , and Nelson obtained the lead for that advance when Buell gave him permission to wade his men across the Duck River at Columbia, Tennessee . 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.,
690-610: A few weeks respite from duty...." On August 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. 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
805-471: A friend from the Mexican–American War 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 hole in the heart, mortally wounding the large man. Nelson still had
920-675: A leading figure in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the West and the founder of Kenyon College . U.S. Senator Dudley Chase of Vermont was another uncle. He studied in the common schools of Windsor, Vermont , and Worthington, Ohio , and at Cincinnati College before entering the junior class at Dartmouth College . He was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa , and graduated from Dartmouth with distinction in 1826. While at Dartmouth, he taught at
1035-637: A monument to honor Lincoln in Springfield. Joshua Speed also wrote lengthy letters to William Herndon , a former law partner of Lincoln who had set about to write a biography of Lincoln. Joshua Speed died on May 29, 1882, in Louisville, Kentucky. He is interred in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. His family's estate, Farmington , is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places , and while
1150-675: A much better site for a camp of instruction, and the new recruits were marched into Camp Dick Robinson , in violation of Kentucky's somewhat duplicitous position of neutrality. 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
1265-512: A permanent new party organization, but to bring pressure to bear upon Northern Democrats to force them to oppose the extension of slavery. During his associations with the Liberty and Free Soil parties, Chase considered himself an "Independent Democrat" or a "Free Democrat". While serving in the Senate (1849–1855), Chase was an anti-slavery champion. He argued against the Compromise of 1850 and
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#17328737079461380-656: A physical confrontation, which concluded in Davis mortally wounding Nelson with a pistol. William "Bull" Nelson was the third and youngest son of Dr. Thomas W. Nelson (1796–1849) and Frances Doniphan (1795–1845) of Maysville, Kentucky . He attended Maysville Academy (Seminary) and was enrolled in Norwich University at 13. Two years later, Nelson's preparatory training at the Vermont military school concluded when Representative Garrett Davis secured an appointment for him to become
1495-514: A 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. That set events in motion. Davis asked
1610-484: A store in the 1790s and operated a salt works using leased slaves. In the 1800s, his father gave him a large tract on which to begin farming. He grew staples and the labor-intensive cash crop of hemp. He would acquire other businesses as well, including a blacksmith. By his death in 1840, he had become one of Kentucky's largest slave-owners with 54. In 1808, following the death of his first wife, John Speed married Lucy Gilmer Fry. She had come from Virginia, where her family
1725-534: A strained relationship with his father, who complained of "all your abuse of me" when Joshua was 15. Depression seems to have run in the family, with evidence in his father, two of his brothers—James Speed showed signs of clinical depression—and Joshua himself. Lincoln even observed this in Joshua, remarking, "You are 'naturally of a nervous temperament. ' " Despite having had little formal education himself, Joshua's father wanted his children to have that advantage. Joshua
1840-521: A witness 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
1955-450: Is featured on a New Hampshire historical marker ( number 76 ) along New Hampshire Route 12A in Cornish. Although not referred to by name, Chase was portrayed by Montagu Love in the 1942 film Tennessee Johnson and appears during Andrew Johnson's impeachment scenes. Chase was also portrayed by Josh Stamberg in the 2013 movie Saving Lincoln . Chase was portrayed by Mark Rand in
2070-454: 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.... D.C. Buell, Major-General. It would be Major General Horatio G. Wright who would come to Davis's aid by securing his release and return to duty. Davis avoided conviction for
2185-486: The $ 10,000 bill printed from 1928 to 1946. Chase was instrumental in placing the phrase " In God We Trust " on United States coins in 1864. In June 1864, Lincoln surprised Chase by accepting his fourth offer of resignation as Treasury Secretary. The Republican Party had at that point already nominated Lincoln as its presidential candidate and the Treasury was in solid shape, so Lincoln no longer needed to keep Chase in
2300-594: The American Revolution and was seriously wounded in 1781, resulting in the Continental Congress awarding him 7,500 acres in the territory of Kentucky. He settled there in 1782 and became a judge and land speculator, eventually accumulating 45,000 acres in central Kentucky and joining the territorial conventions by which Kentucky became separated from Virginia. One of Captain Speed's six children, John Speed, owned
2415-626: The Cincinnati riots of 1836 , associated himself with the anti-slavery movement. Chase was also a member of the literary Semi-Colon Club ; its members included Harriet Beecher Stowe and Calvin Ellis Stowe . Chase became the leader of the political reformers, as opposed to the Garrisonian abolitionist movement. For his defense of people arrested in Ohio under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 , Chase
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#17328737079462530-579: The Constitution to create slavery anywhere and that when an enslaved person leaves the jurisdiction of a state where slavery is legal, he ceases to be a slave; he continues to be a man and leaves behind the law that made him a slave. In this and similar cases, the court ruled against him, and the judgment against John Van Zandt was upheld. Though elected as a Whig to a one-year term on the Cincinnati City Council in 1840, Chase left that party
2645-484: The Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, Chase invited Davis's lawyer to meet with him privately, and explained his theory that Section 3 of the new Amendment prohibited imposing further punishment on former Confederates. When Davis's lawyer repeated this argument in open court, Chase dismissed the case, over the objection of his colleague, U.S. District Judge John Curtiss Underwood , and the government chose not to appeal
2760-948: The Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854. After the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska legislation and the subsequent violence in Kansas , Chase helped form the Republican Party with former Whigs and anti-slavery members of the American Party . The " Appeal of the Independent Democrats in Congress to the People of the United States ", written by Chase and Giddings, and published in The New York Times on January 24, 1854, may be regarded as
2875-550: The Kentucky House of Representatives in 1848. Joshua Fry Speed was born at Farmington , Louisville, Kentucky, to Judge John Speed and Lucy Gilmer Speed (née Fry) on November 14, 1814. On his father's side, Speed's ancestry can be traced back to 17th-century cartographer and historian John Speed . John Speed's great-grandfather (James Speed) emigrated to Virginia in 1695. James Speed's grandson, Captain James Speed, fought in
2990-532: The Midwest ; in 1835 he set out for Springfield, Illinois. At the time, Springfield had a population of fewer than 1,500 people. Almost immediately upon arriving there, Speed engaged in merchandising and assisted in editing a local newspaper. Speed had heard young Abraham Lincoln deliver a speech on a stump when Lincoln was running for election to the Illinois legislature. On April 15, 1837, Lincoln arrived at Springfield,
3105-511: The Republican Party , which opposed the extension of slavery into the territories . After leaving the Senate, Chase served as the governor of Ohio from 1856 to 1860. Chase sought the Republican nomination for president in the 1860 presidential election , but the party chose Abraham Lincoln at its National Convention . After Lincoln won the election, he asked Chase to serve as Secretary of
3220-664: The USS Niagara for the mission of returning captured slaves to Monrovia , Liberia . Two years later, he was at the Washington Navy Yard as an ordnance officer. 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 months. He performed shore and other duty for over four years, and
3335-486: The Washington Navy Yard aboard a five-gun Treasury cutter, Miami , bound for Fort Monroe "to ascertain by personal observation whether some further vigilance and vigor might not be infused into the operations of the army and navy at that point" to determine whether Norfolk could be captured. After a 27-hour trip, the Miami reached Fort Monroe on the night of May 6. Chase went with Major General John E. Wool , in command of
3450-634: The Whig Party in 1841 to become the leader of Ohio's Liberty Party . In 1848, he helped establish the Free Soil Party and recruited former President Martin Van Buren to serve as the party's presidential nominee. Chase won election to the Senate the following year, and he opposed the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas–Nebraska Act . In the aftermath of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, Chase helped establish
3565-563: The abolition of slavery after the death of his first wife, Katherine Jane Garmiss, in 1835, shortly after their March 1834 wedding. This event was a spiritual reawakening for him. He worked initially with the American Sunday School Union . At a time when public opinion in Cincinnati was dominated by Southern business connections, Chase, influenced by local events, including the attack on the press of James G. Birney during
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3680-505: The 2024 Apple TV+ miniseries series Manhunt . Joshua Fry Speed Joshua Fry Speed (November 14, 1814 – May 29, 1882) was an American planter and businessman. He was a close friend of future President Abraham Lincoln from his days in Springfield, Illinois , where Speed was a partner in a general store . He first met Lincoln in 1837. Later, Speed was a farmer and a real estate investor in Kentucky, and also served one term in
3795-601: 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." 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
3910-471: 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 Battle of Ivy Mountain . That night and the following day, Confederates, under Colonel John Stuart Williams , abandoned Piketon (Pikeville, Kentucky). Early the next morning, Nelson's northern prong, under Colonel Joshua W. Sill , arrived at
4025-513: 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
4140-521: The Constitution and laws, and of sincere attachment to the constitutional Government of the United States. A few months before his death, Chase found himself in the minority of a 5–4 ruling in the Slaughter-House Cases , which greatly limited the scope of the powers given the federal government under the Fourteenth Amendment to protect Americans from state violations of their civil rights. With
4255-580: The Federals at Fort Monroe, to inspect beach locations for a potential troop landing and relayed to Lincoln that he and General Wool had found "a good and convenient landing place" on the south shore, safely away from the Confederates' ironclad, the CSS Virginia . Chase's participation in the reconnaissance ended with the surrender of Norfolk and the destruction of the Virginia . On October 10, 1862, Secretary of
4370-545: 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 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
4485-515: The Mediterranean Squadron, and on September 1, 1851, he was acting lieutenant of the USS Mississippi when exiled Hungarian revolutionary Louis Kossuth 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 sailing master and on April 18, 1855, he achieved the rank of lieutenant . In September 1858, Nelson joined
4600-540: The Navy Gideon Welles wrote that "a scheme for permits, special favors, Treasury agents, and improper management" existed and was arranged by Treasury Secretary Chase for General John A. Dix . The motive of Chase appeared to be for political influence and not for financial gain. Perhaps Chase's chief defect was an insatiable desire for high office. Throughout his term as Treasury Secretary, Chase exploited his position to build up political support for another run at
4715-471: The Ohio against Confederate Major Generals Edmund Kirby Smith and Braxton Bragg . 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 should be returned to duty, and
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4830-896: The Royalton Academy in Royalton, Vermont . Chase then moved to the District of Columbia , where he opened a classical school while studying law under U.S. Attorney General William Wirt . He was admitted to the bar in 1829. Chase married his first wife Katherine Jane Garniss on March 4, 1834. She died the following year after the birth of a girl who died a few years later. He married his second wife Eliza Ann Smith on September 26, 1839, who died from consumption years later. Chase married his third wife, Sarah Bella Dunlop Ludlow who also died from consumption. After her death, he did not remarry. The Salmon P. Chase Birthplace and childhood home still stands in Cornish, New Hampshire. Chase moved to
4945-597: The Senate trial of President Andrew Johnson during the impeachment proceedings of 1868. Despite his nomination to the court, Chase continued to pursue the presidency. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1868 and the Liberal Republican nomination in 1872 . Chase was born in Cornish , New Hampshire , on January 13, 1808, to Janette Ralston and Ithamar Chase, who died in 1817 when Salmon
5060-576: The Supreme Court established a tradition that a newly deceased Justice's chair and the front of the bench where the Justice sat will be draped with black wool crêpe , with black crêpe hung over the Court's entrance. The Chase National Bank , a predecessor of Chase Manhattan Bank which is now JPMorgan Chase , was named in his honor, though he had no affiliation with it, financial or otherwise. In 1845, Chase
5175-799: The Treasury. Chase served in that position from 1861 to 1864, working hard to ensure the Union was well-financed during the Civil War . Chase resigned from the Cabinet in June 1864, but retained support among the Radical Republicans . Partly to appease the Radical Republicans, Lincoln nominated Chase to fill the Supreme Court vacancy that arose following Chief Justice Roger Taney 's death. Chase served as Chief Justice from 1864 to his death in 1873. He presided over
5290-418: The Union." US Secretary of Treasury Salmon P. Chase 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 the end of October, those troops from Ohio and Kentucky routed
5405-444: The United States from 1864 to his death in 1873. Chase served as the 23rd governor of Ohio from 1856 to 1860, represented Ohio in the United States Senate from 1849 to 1855 and again in 1861, and served as the 25th United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1861 to 1864 during the administration of Abraham Lincoln . Chase is therefore one of the few American politicians who have held constitutional office in all three branches of
5520-449: The abstract wrong of it. ... I also acknowledge your rights and my obligations, under the constitution, in regard to your slaves. I confess I hate to see the poor creatures hunted down, and caught, and carried back to their stripes, and unrewarded toils; but I bite my lip and keep quiet. In 1841, you and I had together a tedious low-water trip, on a Steam Boat from Louisville to St. Louis. You may remember, as I well do, that from Louisville to
5635-471: The afternoon on April 7, 1862, the Confederates withdrew, and the bloodiest fighting that had ever occurred in the Western Hemisphere was over. Ebenezer Hannaford served in the 6th Ohio Infantry 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 Army of the Ohio , which might almost be said to have been his own creation." Those men had no love for
5750-544: The alleged documents, wrote, "Almost certainly this is a hoax...." Joshua Speed's father, Judge John Speed, was born in Charlotte County, Virginia . John was first married to Abby Lemaster. They had four children, two of whom died in infancy: John was then married to Lucy Gilmer Fry. Lucy was born in Albemarle County , Virginia. They had eleven children: Joshua Speed began a courtship with Fanny Henning and married on February 15, 1842. They remained married until his death. They had no children. Fanny Henning Speed bequested
5865-402: The balance of power to the Union Home Guard. 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 south end of the turnpike in Garrard County and was at
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#17328737079465980-487: The cabinet to forestall a challenge for the presidential nomination. But to placate the party's Radical wing, Lincoln mentioned Chase as a potential Supreme Court nominee. When Chief Justice Roger B. Taney died in October 1864, Lincoln named Chase to succeed him. Nominated on December 6, 1864, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on the same day, he was sworn into office on December 15, 1864, and served until his death on May 7, 1873. One of Chase's first acts as Chief Justice
6095-518: The citizens of Louisville to prepare for its defense. On September 22, two days after Davis's initial orders from Nelson, Davis was summoned to the Galt House , 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 James B. Fry , described as
6210-442: The dismissal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chase made an unsuccessful effort to secure the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 1868. He "was passed over because of his stance in favor of voting rights for black men." In 1871, the New Departure policy of Ohio Democrat Clement Vallandigham was endorsed by Chase. He helped found the Liberal Republican Party in 1872, unsuccessfully seeking its presidential nomination. Chase
6325-399: The earliest draft of the Republican party creed. In 1855, Chase was elected the first Republican governor of Ohio. During his time in office, from 1856 to 1860, he supported improved property rights for women, changes to public education, and prison reform . In 1860, Chase sought the Republican nomination for president, with Massachusetts Governor Nathaniel Banks as his running mate. With
6440-429: The establishment of a national banking system and the issue of paper currency . The former was Chase's own particular measure. He suggested the idea, worked out the important principles and many of the details, and induced the Congress to approve them. It secured an immediate market for government bonds and provided a permanent, uniform, and stable national currency. Chase ensured that the Union could sell debt to pay for
6555-401: The exception of William H. Seward , Chase was the most prominent Republican in the country and had done more to end slavery than any other Republican. However, he opposed a " protective tariff ," favored by most other Republicans, and his record of collaboration with Democrats annoyed the many Republicans who were former Whigs. At the 1860 Republican National Convention , he got 49 votes on
6670-424: The family plot at Maysville Cemetery became Nelson's final resting place. Today, his memory is honored by Camp Nelson National Cemetery . 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 brevet . After the Civil War, he returned to his permanent rank of colonel. Davis continued in military service until his death. He
6785-513: The farm is substantially reduced in size, the house has been restored and has become a local event venue, and the focus of living history events. In 1999, the author and gay activist Larry Kramer claimed that he had uncovered new primary sources which shed fresh light on Lincoln's sexuality. The alleged sources included a hitherto-unknown Joshua Speed diary and letters in which it was claimed Speed wrote explicitly about his relationship with Lincoln. The items were supposedly discovered hidden beneath
6900-415: The federal government, in addition to serving in the highest state-level office. Prior to his Supreme Court appointment, Chase was widely seen as a potential president. Born in Cornish, New Hampshire , Chase studied law under Attorney General William Wirt before establishing a legal practice in Cincinnati . He became an anti-slavery activist and frequently defended fugitive slaves in court. Chase left
7015-418: The first ballot, but he had little support outside of Ohio. Abraham Lincoln won the nomination, and Chase supported him. Chase was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate from Ohio in 1860. However, he resigned shortly after taking his seat in order to become Secretary of the Treasury under Lincoln. This was despite no prior financial experience; rather obtained through Chase's nomination of Lincoln. He
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#17328737079467130-424: The flagship for the Home Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico. At the Siege of Veracruz , he served with Naval Battery No. 5, and on the second Tabasco Expedition , Nelson was a member of the Second Artillery Division. In February 1848, he became acting master of the USS Scourge . At the conclusion of his service, Nelson received a sword for heroism and proficiency as an artillerist. In the summer of 1849, he joined
7245-468: The floorboards of the old store in which the two men lived, and they were said to reside in a private collection in Davenport, Iowa . Kramer died in 2020 and apparently never produced or showed anyone the supposed documents although he published a novel in 2015, including some of his ideas about Speed and Lincoln that historian and psychoanalyst, Charles Strozier, found unconvincing as a matter of history or sexuality. The historian Gabor Boritt, referring to
7360-501: 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 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
7475-539: The great body of the Northern people do crucify their feelings ... During Lincoln's presidential administration (March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865), he offered Speed several government appointments. Speed refused each time, choosing to help in other ways. Speed disagreed with Lincoln on the slavery question but remained loyal, and coordinated Union activities in Kentucky during the American Civil War . His brother, James Speed , served as Lincoln's United States Attorney General , beginning in November 1864. In explaining
7590-440: The harsh ways of "Big Buster," but they genuinely valued his willingness to chastise officers openly who shirked their responsibilities. Nelson's division took a prominent part in the Siege of Corinth . On May 21 Nelson ordered a brigade, under Colonel Thomas D. Sedgewick, to seize the high ground near the Widow Surratt House . On May 28, Nelson captured a Confederate-held crossing over Bridge Creek with Sedgewick's brigade. That
7705-552: 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
7820-465: The latter spent a month regaining his mental health. During his stay at Farmington, Lincoln rode into Louisville almost daily to discuss legal matters of the day with Attorney James Speed , Joshua's older brother. James Speed lent Lincoln books from his law library. Joshua Speed and Lincoln disagreed over slavery, especially Speed's argument that Northerners should not care. In 1855, Lincoln wrote to Speed: You know I dislike slavery; and you fully admit
7935-429: The main barracks and dormitory at the United States Coast Guard Academy , are named for Chase in honor of his service as Secretary of the Treasury , and the United States Coast Guard cutter Chase (WHEC 718) is named for him, as are Chase Hall at the Harvard Business School , Chase House at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University . He
8050-404: 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, Camp Nelson . Two months later, an escort detail removed the remains from Cave Hill Cemetery to Camp Dick Robinson . On March 8, 1872,
8165-466: The most prominent military and civil leaders. When Davis arrived and looked around the room, he saw many familiar faces and joined Oliver P. Morton , Indiana's governor. 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
8280-407: The mouth of the Ohio, there were, on board, ten or a dozen slaves, shackled together with irons. That sight was a continued torment to me; and I see something like it every time I touch the Ohio, or any other slave-border. It is hardly fair for you to assume, that I have no interest in a thing which has, and continually exercises, the power of making me miserable. You ought rather to appreciate how much
8395-504: The murder because there was a need for experienced field commanders in the Union Army . 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." In all, there
8510-681: The new state capital, to seek his fortune as a young lawyer, whereupon he met Joshua Speed. Lincoln sublet Joshua's apartment above Speed's store, becoming his roommate, sharing a bed with him for four years, and becoming his lifelong best friend. Although bed-sharing between same sexes was a reasonably common practice in this period, this has led to speculation, including by Professor Thomas Balcerski , regarding Lincoln's sexuality. On March 30, 1840, Judge John Speed died. Joshua announced plans to sell his store and return to his parents' large plantation house , Farmington , near Louisville, Kentucky . Lincoln, though notoriously awkward and shy around women,
8625-533: The next year. In the 1840s, he helped to form the Liberty Party . For seven years, Chase was the leader of the Liberty Party in Ohio. He helped balance its idealism with his pragmatic approach and political thought. Chase was skillful in drafting platforms and addresses, and he prepared the national Liberty platform of 1843 and the Liberty address of 1845. Building the Liberty Party was slow going. By 1848, Chase
8740-406: The nomination to Congress, Lincoln acknowledged that he did not know James as well as he knew Joshua. After the assassination of Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth , Speed organized a memorial service in Louisville for the departed leader. He also pledged his support to the new President Andrew Johnson administration (April 15, 1865, to March 3, 1869). Sixty members of the Speed family gave money for
8855-603: 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 Lexington, Kentucky . 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 Battle of Richmond , ending on August 30,
8970-499: The other dissenters, Chase joined the dissent of Justice Stephen J. Field that the majority opinion effectively rendered the Fourteenth Amendment a "vain and idle enactment." On October 23, 1873, in formally announcing the death of Chief Justice Chase in the Supreme Court and conveying the resolutions submitted by the bar, Attorney General George Henry Williams highlighted Chase's "early, continued and effectual labours for
9085-547: 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. Nelson was to work out details for a distribution of arms in Kentucky with Joshua Fry Speed 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
9200-503: The presidency in 1864. Benjamin Wade , a Republican commented: "Chase is a good man but his theology is unsound. He thinks there is a fourth person in the Trinity." He also tried to pressure Lincoln by repeatedly threatening resignation, which he knew would cause Lincoln difficulties with the Radical Republicans. To honor Chase for introducing the modern system of banknotes , he was depicted on
9315-454: The presumed assault. The Confederates were now in a position to take the fight to the North. In the late summer of 1862, General Jefferson C. Davis 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
9430-427: The public's recognition of him, Chase put his own face on a variety of U.S. paper currency, starting with the $ 1 bill, possibly to further his political career. It was engraved by Joseph Prosper Ourdan . On May 5, 1862, Chase accompanied President Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton , and Brigadier General Egbert Ludovicus Viele in what would become a pivotal week for Union forces. The presidential party left
9545-519: The right of suffrage to whites; but wrong in the exclusion from suffrage of certain classes of citizens and all unable to take its prescribed retrospective oath, and wrong also in the establishment of despotic military governments for the States and in authorizing military commissions for the trial of civilians in time of peace. There should have been as little military government as possible; no military commissions; no classes excluded from suffrage; and no oath except one of faithful obedience and support to
9660-421: The south, the Battle of Richmond, and Confederates taking control of much of the state. Smith was able to strike at Cincinnati , Ohio , 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. By September 18, Davis had recuperated to the point that he could resume command of
9775-617: The 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
9890-415: 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
10005-587: The town, which marked the end of the Big Sandy expedition. At the end of November 1861, Nelson joined the Army of the Ohio under the command of Don Carlos Buell 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
10120-542: 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 Horatio G. Wright had been sent by Lincoln to take control, which put Buell second in command. In late August, two Confederate armies, under command of Major General Edmund Kirby Smith and General Braxton Bragg , moved into Kentucky and Tennessee on
10235-453: The trial of Jefferson Davis (who was imprisoned at Fort Monroe in Virginia), because trial for major crimes such as treason required two judges. However, Davis's best defense would be that he forfeited U.S. citizenship upon secession, and therefore could not have committed treason. Convicting Davis could also interfere with Chase's presidential ambitions, described below. After the passage of
10350-487: The unenviable position of going against enemy cavalry with overburdened infantry. The Confederate invasion of Kentucky then brought him back to Louisville with instructions to reopen the lines of communication with Nashville. The Army of the Ohio , commanded by Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell , was taking aim on Chattanooga, Tennessee . Three hundred miles of railway lines lay between Louisville and Chattanooga, and Confederate forces were making constant work in tearing up
10465-794: The universal freedom of man." Chase died of a stroke in New York City on May 7, 1873. His remains were first interred in Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C. , then re-interred in October 1886 in Spring Grove Cemetery , Cincinnati, Ohio . Chase had been an active member of St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral, Cincinnati . Chase's birthplace in New Hampshire was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1975. After Chase's death in 1873,
10580-407: The war effort. He worked with Jay Cooke & Company to successfully manage the sale of $ 500 million (~$ 11.9 billion in 2023) in government war bonds (known as 5/20s) in 1862. The first U.S. federal currency, the greenback demand note , was printed in 1861–1862 during Chase's tenure as Secretary of the Treasury, and it was his responsibility to design the notes. In an effort to increase
10695-524: 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
10810-560: Was Nelson's physical assault. Everything spiraled out of control. Many in close confidence with Nelson wanted to see quick justice with regards to Davis. A few, including General William Terrill , 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 Henry Halleck , General in Chief of all Armies: General H.W. Halleck: Brigadier-General Davis
10925-400: Was also a Freemason , active in the lodges of Midwestern society. He collaborated with John Purdue , the founder of Lafayette Bank and Purdue University . Eventually, JP Morgan Chase & Co. would purchase Purdue National Corporation of Lafayette, Indiana , in 1984. As early as 1868, Chase concluded that: Congress was right in not limiting, by its reconstruction acts,
11040-661: Was also a participant in the February 1861 Peace Conference in Washington, D.C., a meeting of leading American politicians held in an effort to resolve the burgeoning secession crisis and to preserve the Union on the eve of the Civil War . During the Civil War, Chase served as Secretary of the Treasury in President Lincoln's cabinet from 1861 to 1864. In that period of crisis, there were two great changes in American financial policy:
11155-463: Was an organization of Union officers who had served in the Civil War which allowed distinguished civilians who had supported the Union cause to join as 3rd class companions. Chase was one of the first to receive this honor and was assigned MOLLUS insignia number 46. Chase's portrait appears on the United States $ 10,000 bill , the largest denomination of U.S. currency to publicly circulate. The bill
11270-438: 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 Mahlon D. Manson and the wounding of Nelson, injured in the neck, who retreated to Louisville to prepare for
11385-409: Was approached by William Driver, a 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
11500-403: 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. 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
11615-501: Was close to Thomas Jefferson . Her father had inherited considerable wealth in land and slaves in Virginia, but left for Kentucky in 1788 or 1789. There, he opened a school in his home, where he taught a number of boys who later became prominent. Joshua Speed was the fifth of 11 children from the marriage; one of his siblings died in infancy the year Joshua was born. Joshua remained close to his mother until her death, but he seems to have had
11730-405: Was dubbed the "Attorney General for Fugitive Slaves." His argument in the case of Jones v. Van Zandt on the constitutionality of fugitive slave laws before the U.S. Supreme Court attracted particular attention. Chase contended that slavery was local, not national, and that it could exist only by virtue of positive state law. He argued that the federal government was not empowered by
11845-598: Was last printed in 1945. In 1969, the Federal Reserve began withdrawing high-denomination bills from circulation, and as of 2009, only 336 $ 10,000 bills had not been returned for destruction. Chase County, Kansas , Chase City, Virginia , and towns named "Chaseville" in Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina (from 1868 to 1871), New York, Ohio, and Tennessee were named in his honor. Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio, and Chase Hall,
11960-433: 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
12075-472: Was nine years old. His paternal immigrant ancestor was Aquila Chase from Cornwall , England, a ship-master who settled in Newbury, Massachusetts , about 1640, while his maternal grandparents Alexander Ralston and Janette Balloch were Scottish , originally from Falkirk . His mother was left with ten children and few resources, and so Salmon lived from 1820 to 1824 in Ohio with his uncle, Bishop Philander Chase ,
12190-423: Was no need to keep Davis from Louisville, where his leadership was desperately needed. Wright sent Davis back there. 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 of
12305-406: 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. The next afternoon, Nelson was interred at Cave Hill Cemetery . Early the next day, Buell started advancing the Army of
12420-569: Was presented with a silver pitcher by black leaders in the city of Cincinnati. Engraved on the pitcher were the words “A testimonial of gratitude to Salmon P. Chase from the Colored People of Cincinnati for his various public services in behalf of the oppressed. In May 1865, Chase was elected a 3rd class companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). MOLLUS
12535-420: Was the first man to enter the town. Wounded at the Battle of Richmond , Nelson was forced to retreat to Louisville to plan a new assault. It was there that General Jefferson C. Davis , 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
12650-450: 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. Salmon P. Chase Salmon Portland Chase (January 13, 1808 – May 7, 1873) was an American politician and jurist who served as the sixth chief justice of
12765-429: 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 John Pope 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
12880-571: Was the leader in the effort to combine the Liberty Party with the Barnburners or Van Buren Democrats of New York to form the Free Soil Party . Chase drafted the Free-Soil platform, and it was chiefly through his influence that Van Buren was their nominee for president in 1848. In 1849, Chase was elected to the U.S. Senate from Ohio on the Free Soil ticket. Chase's goal, however, was not to establish
12995-513: Was then engaged to Mary Todd , a vivacious society young woman also from Kentucky. As the dates approached for both Speed's departure and Lincoln's marriage, Lincoln broke the engagement on the planned day of the wedding, January 1, 1841. Speed departed as planned, leaving Lincoln mired in depression and guilt . Seven months later, in July 1841, Lincoln, still depressed, decided to visit Speed in Kentucky. Speed welcomed Lincoln to his paternal house, where
13110-480: Was to admit John Rock to the Supreme Court Bar, making him the first African-American attorney eligible to argue cases before the Supreme Court. Among his more significant decisions while on the Court were: As Chief Justice, Chase also presided at the impeachment trial of U.S. President Andrew Johnson in 1868. As the justice responsible for the 4th Circuit , Chase also would have been one of two judges at
13225-483: Was tutored by his maternal grandfather, Joshua Fry, and attended St. Joseph's College near Bardstown . Before completing college, however, he fell ill. He returned home and, despite his father's opposition, argued that he was ready to begin a career. He spent two to three years as a clerk in the largest wholesale establishment in Louisville . He then moved to Springfield, Illinois . Speed decided to try his fortune in
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