Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[196] cavalry picket a mile beyond. They had heard of our approach from scouts, but supposed us to be rebels. Our true character however was discovered before we reached them. A general feeling of relief pervaded the command at being again within our own lines after thirteen days of hard marching in the enemy's country, and the successful result of the expedition and its safe return was a cause of much satisfaction and congratulation.

In regard to the distance penetrated in the enemy's rear, the boldness and rapidity of its movements, the thoroughness of the work accomplished, and its complete success in every respect, this raid perhaps is the most remarkable one of the war. Its success is mainly due to the ability and discretion of its gallant leader, who has been aptly called the Chevalier Bayard of the army, the knight “sans peur et sans reproche.” It is no fulsome eulogy to say that he manifested all the qualities which mark a great commander. The result of the expedition itself is an indication of this. One point in his character is particulary worthy of mention, as it had an important bearing on the success of the expedition. General Rousseau has a keen insight into human character, and an instinctive faculty of reading men and sifting the reliable from the false in their statements. This, with his frank and cordial manner of intercourse, enabled him to win the confidenee even of enemies and to obtain information where others would have gained nothing but confusion of ideas. Throughout the whole trip he was thus enabled to pursue his course through the enemy's country with a more definite knowledge of the route ,the enemy's forces and movements, etc., than could have been obtained from an elaborate system of scouts and spies. The complete success of the expedition and the directness of all its movements indicates the sagacity and judgment with which it was planned and executed.

General Rousseau is a Kentuckian by birth, but when a young man, entering the profession of law, he emigrated to Indiana, where he was engaged in the practice of law when the Mexican war broke out. He raised a company of volunteers, became its captain, and served with distinguished gallantry during that war. He afterwards returned to Louisville, and was a member of the Kentucky Senate at the time of the outbreak of the rebellion. He opposed the policy of neutrality, and, resigning his seat in the Senate, devoted his energies to the raising of troops for the support of the Government. In June, 1861, he was commissioned Colonel of volunteers, and on the first of October following, was promoted to a Brigadier-Generalship and assigned to the command of the Fourth brigade of the Army of the West, under General Buell. He fought in the battle of Shiloh, where he won the admiration of the army by his gallant conduct. He was afterward placed in command of the Third division, which he led in the battle of Perryville, and was promoted to a Major-Generalship for distinguished gallantry and good service in that terrific struggle. At the battle of Stone River he again rendered most important service, for which General Rosecrans, in his official report, returned his thanks to “the gallant and ever-ready Major-General Rousseau.” Since the twentieth of November, 1863, he has been in command of the important District of Tennessee, which he has controlled with consumate ability, and from which he was temporarily called to take the leadership of this important and daring raid upon the enemy's rear. On this expedition he penetrated further into the heart of the Confederacy, and struck a more telling blow upon the enemy's communication than any commander on a similar expedition has done during the war.

Colonel T. J. Harrison, of the Eighth Indiana, and Lieutenant-Colonel M. T. Patrick, of the Fifth Iowa, ably seconded General Rousseau throughout the expedition, and by their indefatigable efforts contributed materially to its success. In the fight of Coosa river and Chehaw Station they displayed coolness and courage, and were at all times energetic in the management of their respective brigades.

The different regiments under their command also behaved with the most commendable gallantry. The hardships and privations of the tedious march were endured uncomplainingly, and all were ready and eager at any time for a fight with the enemy. The laborious work of tearing up the railroad was entered into with most hearty good will. Officers and men worked with enthusiasm, feeling that they were accomplished an important service, and forgetting in the excitement the fatigue and weariness which the hard marching and loss of sleep had induced. General Rousseau expressed his gratification of their conduct in the highest terms.

It is making no invidious distinction among the many officers who promptly performed their duties to say that Captain E. M. Rugan, Thirteenth Wisconsin infantry, topographical engineer on General Rousseau's staff, rendered especially important service, by his thorough study of the topography of the country and his activity in obtaining information in regard to roads, etc. He was almost constantly in the advance. His services were acknowledged by the General commanding as almost indispensable. His professionable abilities have been acknowledged by his assignment to duty as Chief Topographical Engineer at department headquarters.

The staff of General Rousseau, during the expedition, was composed as follows: Captain Thomas C. Williams, Nineteenth United States Infantry, A. A. A. G.; Captain E. M. Rugan, Thirteenth Wisconsin infantry, Topographical Engineers; Captain Thomas A. Elkin, Sixth Kentucky cavalry, A. D. C.; Captain S. E. Mo-Connell, Seventy-first Ohio infantry, A. A. J. G.; Surgeon S. D. Waterman, Eighth Indiana cavalry, Medical Director;. Captain Alfred Matthias, Fifth Iowa cavalry, Provost Marshal; Lieutenant John Frey, Ninth Ohio, Quartermaster;