This well known Regiment was recruited here in Louisville and ordered to Camp Joseph Holt. This camp was established by General L. H. Rousseau on the Indiana side of the Ohio, just below Jeffersonville, as Kentucky at that time, as a neutral state, could not tolerate that troops be organized on her soil. This neutrality, however, did not last very long. General Rousseau came to the aid of the sore pressed people of Louisville in that he with is troops marched against the Rebels and put them to rout. After the railroad bridge of Rolling Ford was burned, the SouthernGeneral Buckner withdrew and never returned.

The Regiment took part in the various major battles under Buell, Rosecrans, Thomas, and Sherman, and was praised and became famous on account of its bravery. The Legion was at first known as the 3rd Kentucky Infantry Regiment, but was rebaptized later by Governor Bramlette the 5th Infantry Regiment, and on September 9, 1861 was mustered into the Union service. On September 14, 1864, after honorable service, it was mustered out and the men returned to their homes. The Regiment had hard times, but the men were always willing and true to the flag, which they had sworn to serve. This flag was given to the regiment by Mrs. Josephine F. Speed and is now found in the state’s archives in Frankfort.

The Regiment’s band was made up of the following members: Simon Boesser and Christ Haupt, bandleaders, Joseph Einsiedler, O. Guenter, B. Klein, Charles Oswald, John Ruef, Richard Achwinger, Phil Seibert, John Spillman, Phil Schueble, John Schoettlin, Joseph von Berg, Jeb. Walter, Frank Dolfinger, Henry Eckert, Henry Hepper, and Eugene Jomini. This band was discharged from the Regiment and later from it was formed the Haupt Seebahc’sohe Orchestra.

The German officers were: F. M. Fresche, Assistant Quartermaster; Henry Gassen, 1st Lieutenant; Adam Kraher, 2nd Lieutenant; August Schweitzer, Captain; Stephen Lindenfelser, Captain; John G. Scheible, 1st Lieutenant; Adolph Reutlinger, 2nd Lieutenant; and Frank Diessel, 2nd Lieutenant.

As was said before, General L. H. Rousseau set up Camp Joseph Holt on the Indiana side of the river and there collected recruits from Kentucky, until there were quartered there 2,500 men. From these men there were formed the 5th Kentucky Infantry Regiment, the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry Regiment, and Stone’s 1st Artillery Battery. With this army Rousseau crossed the river and marched, despite strong advice to the contrary, on August 30, 1861 in parade through Louisville. Banners were carried, “Louisville is my home and I shall go there by all means, just to show the Rebels that we are watching them.”

After the 5th Regiment was mustered out, there were about 100 of the old soldiers who reenlisted and took part in the battle of Nashville, December 15, 1864. Those who remained were then mustered out on July 25, 1865. General Sherman said of the 5th Regiment, “No single body of men can claim more honor for the great result than the officers of the Louisville Legion of Kentucky.”