Louis Gustave De Russy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louis Gustave De Russy
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | September 17, 1795 New York City, New York |
| Died | December 17, 1864 (aged 69) Grand Ecore, Louisiana |
| Allegiance |  United States Confederate States |
| Service/ |
United States Army Louisiana Militia Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1814–1842, 1846–1848 (USA) 1861–1864 (CSA) |
| Rank | Colonel (USA) Major General (Militia) Colonel (CSA) |
| Unit | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Louis Gustave De Russy (1795 – December 17, 1864) was a skilled engineer and a dedicated officer in the United States Army. Later in his life, he became a Major-General in the Louisiana Militia during the American Civil War. He was the oldest graduate from West Point to serve the Confederacy in that war. His older brother, René Edward De Russy, was a general who stayed with the Union during the war.
Both brothers had forts named after them. The fort named for Louis is Fort DeRussy. It was built near Marksville, Louisiana, during the Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Louis Gustave De Russy was born in 1795 in New York City, New York. His father, Thomas De Russy, had served in the French Navy. He later joined the American Navy during the American Revolutionary War, when France was helping the American rebels.
After returning to France, Thomas De Russy moved to his family's lands in Saint-Domingue in 1786. This was a very rich French colony in the Caribbean. He settled in Cap Français and married Madeleine Baissiere there in 1787. Their first two sons, Rene Emile and René Edward De Russy, were born on the island.
In 1792, the family had to leave Saint-Domingue very quickly. Their city was burning due to the Haitian Revolution, a major uprising by enslaved people. They lost everything they owned but safely reached New York City.
Military Training and Career
At just 18 years old, Louis De Russy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. This happened on March 11, 1814, after only eleven months as a cadet. The ongoing War of 1812 might have made his graduation happen faster.
On January 7, 1816, he married Elizabeth Claire Boerum. She came from an old Dutch family. They had seven children together before she passed away in 1836.
Engineering Work
From 1819 to 1821, De Russy was part of a team that surveyed the border between the United States and Canada. After this, he received many engineering assignments and steadily moved up in his career.
In September 1826, De Russy was promoted to major. He was then sent to work at outposts along the Red River in central Louisiana. He and his family lived near Fort Jesup and Natchitoches. He spent most of the rest of his career and life in Louisiana.
Later Service and Public Life
In 1842, De Russy was removed from the Army. This happened during a time when the military was reducing its number of soldiers. He then focused on his plantation and took on private engineering jobs.
In December 1846, he joined the state militia as a major. He was later elected as a colonel in the 1st Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers. He led this regiment in the Mexican–American War. In July 1847, his regiment fought in the Battle of Tantayuka, which was their only combat. They were stationed at Tampico, where De Russy managed a project to improve traffic on the local waterway.
After returning to Louisiana, he became a major general in the state militia. In 1851, he was elected to the state house. After serving two years, he was then elected to the state senate. He also worked on several large engineering projects and surveyed the Red River.
During the American Civil War, Louis De Russy served the Confederacy as their Chief Engineer. He worked on important projects near the Red River.
He passed away at his home on December 17, 1864. Historians believe he had a heart attack.
Legacy
- Fort DeRussy, a fort built during the Civil War near Marksville, Louisiana, was named in his honor.
