Garesché, Julius P. (Julius Peter), 1821-1862

Julius Peter Garesché du Rocher was born in Cuba on April 26, 1821. His grandfather, Jean Garesché, 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 Garesché du Rocher married Mimika Louisa Bauduy, eldest daughter of Pierre Bauduy of Wilmington, Del., in Sept. 1809. She was Catholic, and the Garesché family was staunchly Protestant. Born in Cuba while Vital Marie was stationed there with the U.S. government, Julius was, however, baptized in a Catholic church since that was the only religion tolerated in Cuba at the time. In 1827 the Garesché family returned to the United States and settled in New York. Then, some time in 1829 or 1830, the family relocated to Wilmington, Del., 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 Sept. 1833, Julius, at age twelve, entered Georgetown College, Washington, D.C. To the relief of his mother, Julius's father had opted for a Jesuit school when he could not find a satisfactory Protestant college. Julius's brother, Alexander John Peter, also attended Georgetown College (1835-1838), although he left before graduating. A cousin, Peter Bauduy, attended from 1833 to 1836, also without obtaining a degree. Later, Alexander Garesché's sons, William, Henry, and Edmund, would also study at Georgetown. It was while he was at Georgetown that Julius formally converted to Catholicism. Unable to complete his Georgetown education due to financial problems experienced by his father, Julius Garesché continued his education at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He graduated in 1841 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of the 4th Artillery. He then served in the Mexican War under General Zachary Taylor. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1846; to Brevet Captain in 1855; to Brevet Major in 1861; and to Lieutenant Colonel in 1862. On Nov. 9, 1862, Julius Garesché was made chief of staff to General William Starke Rosecrans, commander of the Army of the Cumberland. He served in this capacity until his death on Dec. 31, 1862, when he was beheaded by a cannon ball at the battle of Stones River, Murfreesboro, Tenn.. Initially buried on the battlefield, Julius's remains were later moved by his brother Alexander to 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 Jan. 1863 to erect a monument over his tomb at Mt. Olivet. Julius Garesché had married Mariquitta de Laureal in 1849. They had eight children, only four of whom (Marie, Octavie (later Sister Augustine of the Holy Face), Louis, and Adele (later Sister Francis Joseph)) survived past infancy. Mariquitta died in St. Louis on Feb. 16, 1871. She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, but her remains were later moved by Louis Garesché to Mt. Olivet, where she lies beside her husband and two of her children, Edgar and Laureal.

From the description of The Julius P. Garesché collection, 1836-1908 (bulk 1860-1870) (Georgetown University). WorldCat record id: 225546767

Army officer.

From the description of Register of Julius P. Garesché, 1861. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79454068