Jacob Higgins

A 21 year old carpenter, he enlisted as a Private in Company M, 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry on 5 May 1847 in Williamsburg, PA and mustered in Pittsburgh on 19 May for Mexican War service. He was in Mexico to at least February 1848, and mustered out with his Company on 21 July 1848 in Pittsburgh.

In 1860 he was a 33 year old merchant in Duncansville, Blair County, PA. He enrolled as Captain of Company G, First Pennsylvania Cavalry in August 1861 and was promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment later the same month. He resigned on 8 October 1861.

In July, 1862, Jacob Higgins, a citizen of Blair county, who had served in the Mexican War, in the three months' service, and as Lieutenant Colonel of the first Pennsylvania Cavalry, until January preceding, received authority from Governor Curtin to recruit a regiment for nine months service.

He commanded his rookie regiment in action at Antietam on 17 September 1862. He wrote that General Crawford ordered him to also take command the 124th Pennsylvania Infantry that afternoon, it then being "under the command of its Major" (I.L. Haldeman). The two regiments were posted together at the end of the day on the 17th.

He mustered out with his regiment 18 May 1863. He enrolled again and was commissioned Colonel of the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry on 5 March 1864. He was discharged on 21 July 1865.

By 1870 he was a carpenter in Martinsburg, Blair County, PA. In 1880, though still having his home in Martinsburg, worked in the US Customs House in Philadelphia, PA.

His Civil War service from the Card File 1 and Bates,2 source of the quote above. His photograph is in the MOLLUS Massachusetts Collection3 and a similar one also appears in Voices.4 Mexican service details from his Compiled Service Records, online from fold3. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860-1880. His gravesite is on Findagrave, as Jacob C. Higgins. I've not yet found good documentation for a middle name.

His brother Joseph was also in the 125th Pennsylvania Infantry and at Antietam.

He married Mary S Snivley (1829-1918) and they had 4 sons between 1853 and 1868.

03/07/1826; Williamsburg, PA

06/01/1893; Johnstown, PA; burial in Grandview Cemetery, Southmont, PA