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Julius P. Garesche papers

 Collection
Identifier: GTM-GAMMS71

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

The material in this collection relates to Julius P. Garesche, a Georgetown University alumnus and chief of staff to William S. Rosecrans, a general during the Civil War. The eight folders comprising this collection include manuscripts by Julius Garesche; correspondence about his death by fellow officers, including General Rosecrans; printed information about Garesch‚ and some members of his family; and photographs of Garesche and the family tomb at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Washington, D.C. A summary of the life of Julius Garesche is provided below, however, details can be obtained from the biography written by his son Louis Garesche, Biography of Lieut. Col. Julius P. Garesche, Assistant Adjutant-General, U.S. Army (1887). The papers of Louis Garesche are deposited at Duke University. They consist of 85 items of correspondence and material relating to the biography on his father, primarily genealogical material on the Garesche family.

Bulk dates: 1860 - 1870 Span dates: 1836 - 1908 Extent: 0.75 linear feet, 1 box

Dates

  • 1836-1908
  • Majority of material found within 1860-1870

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Biographical note

Julius Peter Garesche du Rocher was born in Cuba on April 26, 1821. His grandfather Jean Garesche had added the name du Rocher from an estate of Julius's great-great-grandfather, after the custom of the younger sons of French nobles, in order to distinguish himself from his elder brothers. 'du Rocher' would later be dropped from the family name. Julius's father Vital Marie Garesche du Rocher married Mimika Louisa Bauduy, eldest daughter of Pierre Bauduy of Wilmington, Delaware, in September 1809. She was Catholic, and the Garesche family was staunchly Protestant. Born in Cuba, while Vital Marie was stationed there with the U.S. government, Julius was, baptized in a Catholic church since that was the only tolerated religion in the country at the time. In 1827, the Garesche family returned to the United States, and settled in New York. Then, some time in 1829 or 1830, the family relocated to Wilmington, Delaware, residing at Mimika's family home at Eden Park. For the next three years, Julius and his brother Alexander attended an academy on Quaker Hill kept by Samuel Smith.

In September 1833, Julius entered Georgetown College, Washington, D.C., at the age of twelve. To the relief of his mother, Julius's father had opted for a Jesuit school after all, when he did not find a satisfactory Protestant college. Julius' brother, Alexander John Peter, also attended Georgetown College (1835-1838), although he left before graduating. The boys' cousin, Peter Bauduy, son of their uncle Jean P. du Rocher Garesche, attended from 1833 to 1836, also without obtaining a degree. Later, Alexander's sons, William, Henry, and Edmund would also study at Georgetown. It was while he was at Georgetown that Julius formally converted to Catholicism. However, he was unable to complete his Georgetown education because of some financial problems his father experienced. Julius suggested that he might continue his education under the auspices of the U.S. Army as a cadet at West Point Military Academy. Judging this a most honorable profession, Vital Marie granted his permission, and in May 1837, Julius left Georgetown College for West Point. He graduated in 1841 and was commissioned second lieutenant of the 4th Artillery.

He then served in the Mexican War under General Taylor. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1846; to Brevet captain, Assistant Adjutant General, in 1855; to Brevet Major, in May 1861; and to lieutenant colonel in 1862. On November 9, 1862, Julius was appointed chief of staff to General William Starke Rosecrans, commander of the 14th Army Corps, also designated the Army of the Cumberland. In this capacity he served until his death on December 31, 1862, when he was beheaded by a cannon ball at the battle of Stone River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Initially buried on the battlefield (on the site of which a monument was eventually erected in memory of Garesch‚ and his fallen comrades), Julius's remains were later removed by his brother Alexander and buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul which Julius had helped found, met with the Georgetown College Philodemic Society and resolved, in January 1863 to erect a monument over his tomb at Mt. Olivet. Julius Garesche was married to Mariquitta de Laureal, February 17, 1849. They had eight children, Marie Pierre Jules ('Julio'), Louise, Marie, Octavie ('Tavie,' became Sister Augustine of the Holy Face), Louis, Edgar, Laureal, and Adele (became Sister Francis Joseph). Only Marie, Octavie, Louis and Adele survived infancy. Mariquitta survived her husband eight years, dying in St. Louis on February 16, 1871. She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, but was reburied with her husband at Mt. Olivet by her son Louis in November 1922. Here, her children Edgar and Laureal are also buried.

Extent

0.20 Linear Feet (1 Hollinger Slim Document Case)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Garesche family.

Title
Julius P. Garesche papers
Status
Completed
Author
Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections, Washington, D.C.
Date
1990
Description rules
Local Practice
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057