An Account of the March of the American Highlanders...: A Guide

An Account of the March of the American Highlanders...:

A Guide


Descriptive Summary
	Creator:	Confer, Jacobus Magendie.
	Title:	An Account of the March of the American Highlanders from the Summit to the City of Mexico by way of Pittsburg, New Orleans, Vera Cruz, etc....
	Inclusive Dates:	1848
	Abstract:	Jacobus Magendie Confer, a 21 year old medical student, enlisted as a "high" private in the American Highlanders at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on December 25, 1846. He mustered in as a private in Compay B, 2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers at Pittsburgh on January 3, 1847, and was promoted to 4th sergeant just seven days later. On August 5, 1847, Confer was detached to the regimental hospital as ward master. He mustered out of service with Company B on July 14, 1848. During the Civil War, Confer served as a surgeon with the 29th Indiana Volunteers from February 10 to December 8, 1863. This unpublished narrative provides an unusually detailed and articulate account of Confer's Mexican War experiences beginning with his enlistment in the American Highlanders on December 25, 1846, concluding in Jalapa, Mexico, on May 6, 1847. He provides detailed accounts of his shipboard journeys on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans and into the Gulf of Mexico to Tampico and Vera Cruz. Although Confer did not experience battle during the period of the narrative, he provides meticulous detail of the conditions endured on the march,descriptions of the Mexican landscape, and observations of the aftermath of battle.
	Identification:	GA51
	Extent:	1 volume (0.01 linear ft.)
	Language:	Materials are in English.
	Repository:	Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library

Biographical/Historical Note

Jacobus Magendie Confer, a 21 year old medical student, enlisted as a "high" private in the American Highlanders at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on December 25, 1846. He mustered in as a private in Compay B, 2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers at Pittsburgh on January 3, 1847, and was promoted to 4th sergeant just seven days later. On August 5, 1847, Confer was detached to the regimental hospital as ward master. He mustered out of service with Company B on July 14, 1848. During the Civil War, Confer served as a surgeon with the 29th Indiana Volunteers from February 10 to December 8, 1863.

The American Highlanders hailed from Summit and Cambria counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Highlanders marched under the command of Captain John W. Geary to Pittsburgh where they were mustered into federal service as Company B, 2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, on January 3, 1847. Members of the company participated in the Mexican War battles of La Hoya, Chapultepec, and Garita de Belen. Company B was mustered out of service in Pittsburgh on July 14, 1848. A total of 96 men served. Six joined as recruits in Mexico; 7 men deserted; 14 men suffered battle-related injuries, two of which were fatal; 27 Highlanders died in service; and 16 received discharges before muster out.

Sources:

Hackenburg, Randy W. Pennsylvania in the War with Mexico. Shippensburg, PA: White Mane Publishing Company, Inc., 1992.

Scope and Contents

This unpublished volume of Confer's Mexican War experiences provides an unusually detailed and articulate account of an enlisted man's journey into Mexico. The narrative begins with Confer's enlistment in the American Highlanders on December 25, 1846, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and concludes in Jalapa, Mexico, on May 6, 1847. He provides detailed accounts of his shipboard journeys on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, proceeding on the General Veazie into the Gulf of Mexico to Tampico and Vera Cruz. He marched with the Highlanders to Cerro Gordo and Jalapa. Although Confer did not experience battle during the period of the narrative, he does provide meticulous detail of the conditions endured on the march, descriptions of the Mexican landscape, and observations of the aftermath of battle.

Restrictions

Access

Open for research.

Literary Rights Statement

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.


Index Terms
	These materials are indexed under the following headings in the catalog of The University of Texas at Arlington Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
	Persons
		Confer, Jacobus Magendie--Archives.
	Organizations
		United States--Army--Pennsylvania Infantry, 2nd--Company B.
	Subjects
		Mexican War, 1846-1848--Personal narratives, American.
		Mexican War, 1846-1848--Campaigns--Mexico.
	Alternate Titles
		Historical Manuscripts Collection