Diary written by Z. W. Matthews during his service as a private in the War of 1846 with Mexico. Matthews served under Captain C [hristopher]. B. Acklin's Company B of Col. John C. Hays' First Texas Mounted Riflemen. The diary begins with mention of leaving to join Gen. Taylor's army on the Rio Grande and includes descriptions of the Siege of Monterrey and the taking of the Bishop's Palace. Service papers include 1846 honorable discharge signed by C. B. Acklen [sic] and Col. John C. Hays; 1849 letter certifying that Matthews served and was honorably discharged, signed by John C. Hays, and 1887 Declaration for Service Pension. Collection also has 4 silhouettes, Minerva Westlake, Rev. Burroughs Westlake, Darius Wells, Rev. Dan[ie]l Limerick. Zenas was son of Henry Matthews, who was a Methodist circuit rider, schoolteacher, and practicing physician from Ohio whose travels brought him to Texas around 1836. Henry kept detailed diaries also, which can be read about here.
Owner: SU Special Collections