Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1869 — Lovell H. Rousseau. [ARTICLE]

Lovell H. Rousseau.

Major General Lovell II.” Rousseau died in New Orleans onThursday evening, January 7th, 1860, in the fifty-first year of his age. He was torn near Stanford, Lincoln county, Kenttioky,’ August 4, 1818. His parents were Virginians of Frcnch-llugenot descent, and his father was a cousin of President Harrison. He educated himself chiefly, never having gone to school after he was ten years old. When he was thirteen his father died, leaving a large and dependent family. Young Lovell obtained employment in macadamizing a'ro'afl,’ devoting his leisure moments to the study pf Frcijdi. He afterward removed to' Xotfisvifj'e, where he studied lay, completing his preliminary course at Bloomington, Indiana. He was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1841, and in 1844-5 was In 1840 be went to Mexico as a Captain in the Second regiment of Indiana volunteers, and on his return was elected to the Indiana Senate. In 1841) he removed to Louisville and qpntipued the practice of law. irilSOb he was elected by both parties to the Kentucky Senate. In 1861 lie resigned his seat and raised two regiments of troops, but Kentucky’s “neutrality” compelled him to encamp them for the time being on the Indiana side of the Ohio river. lie was commissioned a Brigadier General of volunteers, and. displayed signal valor at Shiloh and Perry ville. For hiS bravery at the latter place he was promoted to a Major Gerferalship.. He fought Weil at Stbfie Iliver, and in many minor engagements. In 1864 he conducted an important raid into Alabama, and defended Fort Roseerans during the siege ofNashville. In 1865 he was elected to Congress from Kentucky, where he dimmed the lustre of his well-earned fame in the field by the adoption of a “conservatism” which Would liave better befitted one of the men against whoifi he had fought. ' In 1866 he assaulted Mr. Gnnnell, a member of the Hojise, for words spokfc'n in debate, and'was reprimanded. lie thereupon resigned hlg J aeati but was reeleeted to the same Congress'. The desire of official honors at the hands of the rebel sympathizing rulers of his native State seems to have led him to stultify all his former record. If. 1867 he was appointed a Brigadier General in the regular army, and sent to' Alaska, lie was recalled, and placed' in command of the sth Military District, dying while still in discharge of his duties. His policy in Louisiana has not been so decided as to fully meet the wishes either of the unconditionally loyal or the strongly rebel elements. It was peither vigorous in the suppretsioir offqfeorders, nor so openly hostile to loyal men as to present many salient points for criticism. Its defects were rather negative than positive. He utterly failed to prevent and suppress the disloyal that occurred from time to time, though_Jie attempted to justify his want of sue cess on the ground that his force was not sufficiency strong. It would have been better for General Rousseau’s fame had he died at the close of the war, yet a nation, grateful for his military services, will judge leniently of the errors of his latter days.