Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-29
Kentucky Union and Rebel Brigades in
the Battle of Shiloh.
WAdt Rebel Officers think Of John @ Breckmridgs:

During the late battle at Shiloh, a rebel and q
Union brigade, both recruited in Kentucky, were
pitted against each other. The latter was COM
manded by Gen. Lowell H. Rousseau, while the
rebels were led by John c. Breckenridge. Those
who witnessed the encounter between the Ken
tuokians say that II was a terrible sight, hut
Rousseau's brigade drove the other from the
field. A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette,
writing on the subject, says:
The rebel officers freely denounced Breckiu-
ridge as a coward. They stated that the whole
army was disgusted with him. His brigade was
in Mondays battle, and at no time would Breck-
inridge venture within range Of our guns, but,
keeping at safe distance, despatched all his
commands by his aids by . singular chance,
too, his whole brigade was pitted against the
Louisville Legion, the first corps Of Union troops
formed in Kentucky, and portion of Rousseau's
brigade 1t will be remembered that when
Kentucky was wayering in her position the gal
liant Rousseau commenced recruiting soldiers for
the Union in Louisville.
Breckenridge was then playing the sneakng
traitor in the Senate Of the United States, and he
was bitterly denunciatory of Rousseau. Both
have expressed desire to meet each other on
the field, and the only earthly wish Of Breokin-
ridges brigade was to meet the gallant Louisville
Legion. Their desire was gratifed on Monday,
and the long looked for contest came off. The
contrast between tho two generals was striking
Rousseau, the soul Of honor and chivalry, rode
down his line amid showers Of bullets and balls,
urging his brave boys TO follow him to victory or
DEATH His tall, soldierly form was a splendid
target, but the roar of tho battle and conflict of
arms nerved his gallant soul to the highest pitch
Of herOism.
In the hottest of the fight appeared Rousseau.
waving his sword, aud crying, "On my gallant
lads. " But Breckinridge, the rebel. sent for
ward his command, and, coward and traitor as
L. 10 s1a1 ~
artillery. The contest between the brigade of
Breckinridge and the Louisville Legion was short.
The Legion advanced steadily, aud three shines
drove their opponents to new positions, thinning
their ranks by every fire. Running out of nm-
muntion. their place was supplied, and when
they again returned to the contest, Breckin-
ridges brigade was non est.
A correspondent of the Louisville Journal gives
the following particulars:
General Rousseau being informed that the
Federal lines on the right of his brigade were
giving away, ordered an advance of his whole
line IN order to relieve them. The Louisville
Legion was now placed in advance. As fate or
Providence decreed, the men who were opposed
to them were the Third, Fourth, Filth, and Sixth
Kentucky regiments. The men OF Camp Boone
and the men of Camp Joe Holt met in mortal
combat, and the latter conquered. The rebel
line gave way before the men whom they had
stigmatized as thieves, towards, and all that is
vile.
The Legion continued to press them, running
up to favorable positions, and pouring few hot
vOlleys into them, aud then pursuing us they
again fed. They drove them altogether near a
mile and half. In this Lieut. Col. Berry par
ticularly distinguished himself. 1t was in this
charge, also, that Albert Sidney Johnston, Geo
W. Johnson, and I. b. Monroe were killed. In
it we took sixteen cannon and three hags--the
latter captured by the gallant first Ohio, which
had been ordered forward, while the Sixth Ind-
ana remained to project the left flank
The long aud successful charge above descri-
bed was Immediately followed by on advance of
our whole front. The enemy, repulsed aud bro
ken, withdrew from the hopeless contest, and the
bloody day was ours.