Lovell Rousseau
Encyclopedia
Lovell Harrison Rousseau (August 4, 1818 – January 7, 1869) was a general in the United States
and Union Armies
during the American Civil War
and a lawyer and politician in both Kentucky
and Indiana
.
, on August 4, 1818, Rousseau had attended the common schools as a child. His father, David, brought his family across the Appalachians from Virginia, but he had a difficult time regaining economic equilibrium (despite some extensive holdings in undeveloped land and slaves). His elder brother had already left home, so when David died of cholera attempting to move the family to a new home in 1833, it fell to him and his younger brothers to dig their father's roadside grave. At fifteen, he had become his family’s primary breadwinner. Soon afterwards, he was were forced to sell his family’s slaves in an effort to cover the family’s debts.
Eager to earn a wage, he began working on a road-building crew, and travelled around the Midwest. Determined to rise, he studied grammar, mathematics, and French, and returned to Kentucky where he read law in Louisville, Kentucky
for several months. In 1841, he passed the Indiana bar and began practicing law with his brother, Richard Hilare Rousseau, and a partner, James I. Dozier, in Bloomfield, Indiana
. Subsequently, they both married daughters of their partner. Richard married Mary in 1839, while Lovell married Marie Antoinette Dozier in 1843.
Lovell successfully ran for the Indiana House of Representatives
as a Whig candidate in 1844, and, in 1845, he was commissioned as a captain in the Mexican-American War and charged with raising a company
of volunteers. He led them at the Battle of Battle of Buena Vista
where he helped rally routing Indiana troops at a key point in the battle.
When he returned from the war, he successfully gained a seat in the Indiana Senate
, and continued to run a successful law practice.
He later served in the Kentucky Senate
from 1860 to 1861.
was becoming more and more likely, Rousseau took a bold and decided stand in favor of maintaining state government in Kentucky
and helped keep it from seceding from the Union
. He resigned from his seat in the senate in June 1861 and applied for a commission to raise volunteers. Against the opposition of many prominent figures in Kentucky, he succeeded in raising two regiments composed entirely of Kentuckians at Camp Joe Holt
, across the Ohio River
from Louisville in Jeffersonville, Indiana
. They were known as the Louisville Legion
. With the help of a battalion of the Louisville Home Guard
, the regiments saved Louisville from being captured by Confederate
troops. He was appointed colonel
of the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Regiment in September 1861 and was later promoted to brigadier general
of Volunteers
attached to the army of General Ormsby M. Mitchel
. Later, Rousseau was once again promoted to major general
of Volunteers. He served valiantly at the Battles of Shiloh
, Stones River
, Chickamauga
, during the Tullahoma Campaign
and movements around Chattanooga, Tennessee
. Although from November 1863 until his resignation in November 1865, Rousseau had command of Nashville, Tennessee
, he had also, on Sherman's orders, carried out a very successful raid on the Montgomery and West Point Railroad
in July 1864.
in 1864, serving from 1865 to 1866. As a former military officer, he served on the Committee on Military Affairs
. In June 1866, relations between Rousseau and Iowa
congressman Josiah Bushnell Grinnell
became tense. The two had a series of debates over a bill intended to give more power to the Freedman's Bureau
. Rousseau opposed it having seen and heard about rebellious and illegal actions by agents working for the bureau, whereas Grinnell strongly supported the bill as a former active abolitionist and aide to runaway slaves. The debates eventually turned into mudslinging
, Grinnell questioning Rousseau's military record and insulting his performance in battle as well as a few comments on the state of Kentucky
.
On June 14, 1866, Rousseau approached Grinnell in the east portico
of the capitol building
after a session of congress. He told Grinnell that he had been waiting for an apology from him for the insults he made about him before the House
. Grinnell pretended not to know what Rousseau was talking about, enraging Rousseau who struck him repeatedly with the iron handle of his rattan
cane until it broke. He struck him chiefly in the face but a few blows hit Grinnell's hand and shoulder. Grinnell walked away with only bruises and did not have to be absent from congress at all. However, a committee was organized to investigate the incident which was composed of Nathaniel P. Banks
, Henry J. Raymond
, Rufus P. Spalding
, M. Russell Thayer
and John Hogan
. Rousseau was reprimanded
for his actions and soon later resigned. He was elected back the same year to fill the vacancy caused by himself and continued to serve until 1867.
After leaving the House of Representatives
, Rousseau was appointed brigadier general
in the U.S. Army
with the brevet
rank of major general
, and was assigned to duty in Alaska
on March 27, 1867. General Rousseau played a key role in the transfer of Alaska
from the Russian Empire
to the United States
on October 18, 1867, today celebrated as Alaska Day
. On July 28, 1868, he was placed in command of the Department of Louisiana
. He died in this capacity in New Orleans, Louisiana
, on January 7, 1869. He was interred in Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky
and in 1892 his wife had his body removed from Cave Hill and re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery
in Arlington, Virginia. His monument at Cave Hill remains.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and Union Armies
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...
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...
and a lawyer and politician in both Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
Early life and career
Born near Stanford, KentuckyStanford, Kentucky
Stanford is a city in Lincoln County, Kentucky, United States. It is one of the oldest settlements in Kentucky, having been founded in 1775. Its population was 3,430 at the 2000 census...
, on August 4, 1818, Rousseau had attended the common schools as a child. His father, David, brought his family across the Appalachians from Virginia, but he had a difficult time regaining economic equilibrium (despite some extensive holdings in undeveloped land and slaves). His elder brother had already left home, so when David died of cholera attempting to move the family to a new home in 1833, it fell to him and his younger brothers to dig their father's roadside grave. At fifteen, he had become his family’s primary breadwinner. Soon afterwards, he was were forced to sell his family’s slaves in an effort to cover the family’s debts.
Eager to earn a wage, he began working on a road-building crew, and travelled around the Midwest. Determined to rise, he studied grammar, mathematics, and French, and returned to Kentucky where he read law in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
for several months. In 1841, he passed the Indiana bar and began practicing law with his brother, Richard Hilare Rousseau, and a partner, James I. Dozier, in Bloomfield, Indiana
Bloomfield, Indiana
Bloomfield is a town in Richland Township, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,405 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Greene County.Bloomfield is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. Subsequently, they both married daughters of their partner. Richard married Mary in 1839, while Lovell married Marie Antoinette Dozier in 1843.
Lovell successfully ran for the Indiana House of Representatives
Indiana House of Representatives
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...
as a Whig candidate in 1844, and, in 1845, he was commissioned as a captain in the Mexican-American War and charged with raising a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of volunteers. He led them at the Battle of Battle of Buena Vista
Battle of Buena Vista
The Battle of Buena Vista , also known as the Battle of Angostura, saw the United States Army use artillery to repulse the much larger Mexican army in the Mexican-American War...
where he helped rally routing Indiana troops at a key point in the battle.
When he returned from the war, he successfully gained a seat in the Indiana Senate
Indiana Senate
The Indiana Senate is the upper house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The Senate is composed of 50 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. Senators serve four-year terms without term limits...
, and continued to run a successful law practice.
He later served in the Kentucky Senate
Kentucky Senate
The Kentucky Senate is the upper house of the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. There are no term limits for Kentucky Senators...
from 1860 to 1861.
Civil War
As the Civil WarAmerican 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...
was becoming more and more likely, Rousseau took a bold and decided stand in favor of maintaining state government in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and helped keep it from seceding from the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
. He resigned from his seat in the senate in June 1861 and applied for a commission to raise volunteers. Against the opposition of many prominent figures in Kentucky, he succeeded in raising two regiments composed entirely of Kentuckians at Camp Joe Holt
Camp Joe Holt
Camp Joe Holt was a Union base during the American Civil War in Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky on land that is now part of Clarksville, Indiana, near the Big Eddy. It was a major staging area for troops in the Western Theatre of the War, in preparation for...
, across the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
from Louisville in Jeffersonville, Indiana
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Jeffersonville is a city in Clark County, Indiana, along the Ohio River. Locally, the city is often referred to by the abbreviated name Jeff. It is directly across the Ohio River to the north of Louisville, Kentucky along I-65. The population was 44,953 at the 2010 census...
. They were known as the Louisville Legion
Louisville Legion
The 5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment, unofficially known as the Louisville Legion was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
. With the help of a battalion of the Louisville Home Guard
Louisville Home Guard
The Louisville Home Guard was a pro-Union military unit organized early in the American Civil War in Louisville, Kentucky. The auxiliary militia served to help secure supplies of arms and weapons, as well as to patrol the streets and discourage Confederate sympathizers.The original Home Guard...
, the regiments saved Louisville from being captured by Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
troops. He was appointed colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Regiment in September 1861 and was later promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of Volunteers
Military volunteer
A military volunteer is a person who enlists in military service by free will, and is not a mercenary or a foreign legionaire. Volunteers often enlist to fight in the armed forces of a foreign country. Military volunteers are essential for the operation of volunteer militaries.Many armies,...
attached to the army of General Ormsby M. Mitchel
Ormsby M. Mitchel
Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel was an American astronomer and major general in the American Civil War....
. Later, Rousseau was once again promoted to major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
of Volunteers. He served valiantly at the Battles 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...
, Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
, Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
, during the Tullahoma Campaign
Battle of Hoover's Gap
The Battle of Hoover's Gap was the principal battle fought in the Tullahoma Campaign of the American Civil War.-Background:...
and movements around Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
. Although from November 1863 until his resignation in November 1865, Rousseau had command of Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, he had also, on Sherman's orders, carried out a very successful raid on the Montgomery and West Point Railroad
Montgomery and West Point Railroad
The Montgomery and West Point Railroad was an early 19th century railroad in Alabama and Georgia. It played an important role during the American Civil War as a supply and transportation route for the Confederate Army, and, as such, was the target of a large raid by Union cavalry in the summer of...
in July 1864.
House of Representatives and assault on Josiah B. Grinnell
Rousseau was elected an "Unconditional Unionist" to the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1864, serving from 1865 to 1866. As a former military officer, he served on the Committee on Military Affairs
United States House Committee on Armed Services
thumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
. In June 1866, relations between Rousseau and Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
congressman Josiah Bushnell Grinnell
Josiah Bushnell Grinnell
Josiah Bushnell Grinnell was a U.S. Congressman from Iowa's 4th congressional district, an ordained Congregational minister, founder of Grinnell, Iowa and benefactor of Grinnell College....
became tense. The two had a series of debates over a bill intended to give more power to the Freedman's Bureau
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
The Freedmen's Bureau, was a U.S. federal government agency that aided distressed freedmen in 1865–1869, during the Reconstruction era of the United States....
. Rousseau opposed it having seen and heard about rebellious and illegal actions by agents working for the bureau, whereas Grinnell strongly supported the bill as a former active abolitionist and aide to runaway slaves. The debates eventually turned into mudslinging
Negative campaigning
Negative campaigning, also known more colloquially as "mudslinging", is trying to win an advantage by referring to negative aspects of an opponent or of a policy rather than emphasizing one's own positive attributes or preferred policies...
, Grinnell questioning Rousseau's military record and insulting his performance in battle as well as a few comments on the state of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.
On June 14, 1866, Rousseau approached Grinnell in the east portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
of the capitol building
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
after a session of congress. He told Grinnell that he had been waiting for an apology from him for the insults he made about him before the House
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. Grinnell pretended not to know what Rousseau was talking about, enraging Rousseau who struck him repeatedly with the iron handle of his rattan
Rattan
Rattan is the name for the roughly 600 species of palms in the tribe Calameae, native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia.- Structure :...
cane until it broke. He struck him chiefly in the face but a few blows hit Grinnell's hand and shoulder. Grinnell walked away with only bruises and did not have to be absent from congress at all. However, a committee was organized to investigate the incident which was composed of Nathaniel P. Banks
Nathaniel Prentice Banks
Nathaniel Prentice Banks was an American politician and soldier, served as the 24th Governor of Massachusetts, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and as a Union general during the American Civil War....
, Henry J. Raymond
Henry Jarvis Raymond
Henry Jarvis Raymond was an American journalist and politician and founder of The New York Times.-Early life and ancestors:...
, Rufus P. Spalding
Rufus P. Spalding
Rufus Paine Spalding was a nineteenth century politician, lawyer and judge from Ohio.-Early life:Born in West Tisbury, Massachusetts, Spalding graduated from Yale College in 1817. After graduating, Spalding began his study of law as an apprentice under Zephaniah Swift...
, M. Russell Thayer
Martin Russell Thayer
Martin Russell Thayer was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Early life:...
and John Hogan
John Hogan (Missouri)
John Hogan was a United States Representative from Missouri. Born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, he immigrated to the United States in 1817 and settled in Baltimore...
. Rousseau was reprimanded
Censure in the United States
In the United States, a motion of censure is a congressional procedure for reprimanding the President of the United States, a member of Congress, or a judge. Unlike impeachment, in the United States censure has no explicit basis in the federal constitution. It derives from the formal condemnation...
for his actions and soon later resigned. He was elected back the same year to fill the vacancy caused by himself and continued to serve until 1867.
Later life and death
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, Rousseau was appointed brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
with the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
rank of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
, and was assigned to duty in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
on March 27, 1867. General Rousseau played a key role in the transfer of Alaska
Alaska purchase
The Alaska Purchase was the acquisition of the Alaska territory by the United States from Russia in 1867 by a treaty ratified by the Senate. The purchase, made at the initiative of United States Secretary of State William H. Seward, gained of new United States territory...
from the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on October 18, 1867, today celebrated as Alaska Day
Alaska Day
Alaska Day is a legal holiday in the U.S. state of Alaska, observed on October 18. It is the anniversary of the formal transfer of the Territory of Alaska from Russia to the United States which took place at a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka on Friday October 18, 1867 Alaska Day is a legal...
. On July 28, 1868, he was placed in command of the Department of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He died in this capacity in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, on January 7, 1869. He was interred in Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
and in 1892 his wife had his body removed from Cave Hill and re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
in Arlington, Virginia. His monument at Cave Hill remains.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
- Louisville in the American Civil War