Jerry Moreau collection
Collection — Folder: S1324
Identifier: S1324
Scope and Contents
This collection includes Jerry Moreau's June 9, 1861 letter to his wife Amanda with the envelope and two pieces of a Confederate battle flag, plus two small newspaper clippings from 1902 about the fragments of the Rebel flag.
Jerry wrote: "Webster, Va., June 9, 1861, My Darling wife and babes. In my last I told you we were every moment listening for the sound of cannon from Philippa. I had no more than dropped your letter in the office than sure enough the sound of artillery like a mighty thunder storm came booming to our ears and in less than 5 hours came with it the news of victory. The Rebels run and our boys captured about or said to be over thirty thousand dollars worth of the traitors' baggage, horses, etc. I am going to send you in this a piece of the secession flag that was also captured at the battle of Philippa. It being the first battle our boys had, it makes it of some little import. I wish you to keep it until I return. It is a couple of pieces torn from the hole made by a 6 pound shot fired by the Ohio artillery boys. The particulars of this battle you have no doubt gotten long ago by our newspapers. I am well. Am engaged as wagon master for the regiment. Will is well, is now detailed as Judge of a court of inquiry respecting the fight, the object I believe is to repair the loses of the good loyal citizens of Philippa. The possibility now is that we will remain here until our time is out. I hope you will try to get along until I return home which I will not be now very long. I have nothing further to write this time only it is thunderen [?] lonesome in these mountains. You can now get a letter to me by addressing Jerry Moreau, Grafton, Va. in care of Capt. Will Moreau 6th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Give my love to all. To get a letter to me you must write as soon as you see this remaining as ever your ever faithful husband I bring this to a close. Jerry."
Jerry wrote: "Webster, Va., June 9, 1861, My Darling wife and babes. In my last I told you we were every moment listening for the sound of cannon from Philippa. I had no more than dropped your letter in the office than sure enough the sound of artillery like a mighty thunder storm came booming to our ears and in less than 5 hours came with it the news of victory. The Rebels run and our boys captured about or said to be over thirty thousand dollars worth of the traitors' baggage, horses, etc. I am going to send you in this a piece of the secession flag that was also captured at the battle of Philippa. It being the first battle our boys had, it makes it of some little import. I wish you to keep it until I return. It is a couple of pieces torn from the hole made by a 6 pound shot fired by the Ohio artillery boys. The particulars of this battle you have no doubt gotten long ago by our newspapers. I am well. Am engaged as wagon master for the regiment. Will is well, is now detailed as Judge of a court of inquiry respecting the fight, the object I believe is to repair the loses of the good loyal citizens of Philippa. The possibility now is that we will remain here until our time is out. I hope you will try to get along until I return home which I will not be now very long. I have nothing further to write this time only it is thunderen [?] lonesome in these mountains. You can now get a letter to me by addressing Jerry Moreau, Grafton, Va. in care of Capt. Will Moreau 6th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Give my love to all. To get a letter to me you must write as soon as you see this remaining as ever your ever faithful husband I bring this to a close. Jerry."
Dates
- 1861 and 1902
Creator
- Moreau, Jerry, 1830- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
Jerry Moreau was born about 1830. His father was born in France and his mother in England. Because he tells his wife Amanda (born about 1838) to send letters to him in care of Captain Will Moreau, Sixth Indiana Regiment, perhaps William C. Moreau (born about 1835) was his brother.
The 6th Indiana was organized on April 25, 1861 for three months service. They fought at the Battle of Philippi in western Virginia (now West Virginia) on June 3, 1861, which Jerry describes to Amanda in his letter dated June 9, 1861. The envelope is addressed to Mrs. Amanda Moreau, Noblesville, Hamilton County, Indiana. Jerry was serving as a mounted courier for General Thomas Morris, and wrote "Paid 3 cts" on the envelope which enclosed two pieces of a captured Confederate flag. One piece is dark blue and one piece is maroon. The Battle of Philippi was the first organized land action in the Civil War.
In 1880, Jerry, a machinist, age 50, and his wife Amanda, age 42, were living at 320 East Ohio Street, Indianapolis, with their son Frank O., age 10. In 1902, when the small articles were published in the Indianapolis News and the Sentinel, Jerry was living at 728 Fletcher Avenue.
The 6th Indiana was organized on April 25, 1861 for three months service. They fought at the Battle of Philippi in western Virginia (now West Virginia) on June 3, 1861, which Jerry describes to Amanda in his letter dated June 9, 1861. The envelope is addressed to Mrs. Amanda Moreau, Noblesville, Hamilton County, Indiana. Jerry was serving as a mounted courier for General Thomas Morris, and wrote "Paid 3 cts" on the envelope which enclosed two pieces of a captured Confederate flag. One piece is dark blue and one piece is maroon. The Battle of Philippi was the first organized land action in the Civil War.
In 1880, Jerry, a machinist, age 50, and his wife Amanda, age 42, were living at 320 East Ohio Street, Indianapolis, with their son Frank O., age 10. In 1902, when the small articles were published in the Indianapolis News and the Sentinel, Jerry was living at 728 Fletcher Avenue.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a records transfer from the Indiana Division on 1935/12/10.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding aid completed 2017/12/21 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield.
Creator
- Moreau, Jerry, 1830- (Person)
- Title
- Jerry Moreau collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
