Thomas William Sweeny, popularly known as “Fighting Tom” Sweeny, was
born in Cork, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1820. He immigrated to the United States
in 1832, and died at Astoria, L. I., N. Y., April 10, 1892.
He was the youngest son of William Sweeny of Dunmanway, in the county of
Cork, of whom it is said that he “was a true Celt, gifted with uncommon
force of character, and not less remarkable for his courage, daring, and
manly spirit than for that nice sense of honor that ever distinguishes
‘the noblest work of God, an honest man.’” He died in 1827 and was
buried at Macroom, Cork, where numerous generations of the family are
interred.
The branch of the family from which Gen. Thomas William Sweeny, the
subject of this sketch, was descended, has been located in the county of
Cork since the thirteenth century, having migrated thither from Donegal,
in the north of Ireland. Of the parent stock, Dr. McDermott states that
“it was itself a branch of the O’Neills which settled in Donegal and
founded three great families, namely: MacSweeny of Fanad, who had
extensive territories west of Lough Swilly, and whose castle was at
Rathmullen; MacSweeny of Banagh, who had a castle at Rathain, and
MacSweeny na D’Tuatha, signifying MacSweeny of the Territories.”
According to O’Brien and other authorities he was called MacSweeny na
D’Tuagh, signifying MacSweeny of the Battle Axes, a title said to have
been derived from their having been standard bearers and chiefs of
gallowglasses to the O’Donnells. It is from the latter MacSweeny that
the subject of our sketch was descended.
Dr. Smith, in his History of the County of Cork, states that “the
MacSweenys had the parish of Kilmurry, in the territory of Muskery,
county of Cork, and their chief castle at Cloghda, near Macroom, and had
also Castlemore, in the parish of Moviddy.” He likewise mentions that
“they were anciently famous for Irish hospitality,” and relates “that
one of the family erected a large stone near the castle of Cloghda,
inviting all passengers to repair to the house of Edmund MacSweeny for
entertainment.” John O’Mahony, the distinguished Irish scholar, author
of the standard translation of Keating’s History of Ireland, says: “The
MacSweenys were standard bearers and marshals of the O’Donnells. They
were famous throughout Ireland as leaders of those heavy-armed soldiers
called gallowglasses. A branch of the family settled in the county of
Cork in the thirteenth century, as commanders of those soldiers under
the McCarthys of Desmond.”
On the passage to the United States, with his mother and brother
William, in 1832, Thomas W. Sweeny, the subject of this sketch, was
swept overboard from the ship _Augusta_, by a huge wave, and narrowly
escaped drowning, being rescued by three members of the crew who put off
in a boat. He had been in the water thirty-five minutes.
After finishing his education in the schools of New York city, young
Sweeny was apprenticed to the printing business in the well known firm
of Gould, Banks & Company (now, 1899, Banks & Brother), at that time the
leading law book publishers of the United States, “where his many good
qualities made him a general favorite.”
He early evinced a taste for military training, and in 1837, while a
mere youth, attached himself to a military and literary association of
young men known as the “Paul Jones Parading Club,” commanded by Capt.
Joseph Hinken. Afterwards they placed themselves under the command of
Capt. W. W. Tompkins, and adopted the name of “Tompkins’ Cadets.” They
then consolidated with the “Scott Cadets,” commanded by Capt. Charles
Baxter, and in 1842 or 1843, they were again strengthened by a portion
of the seceders from the “Tompkins’ Blues,” whereupon, for the purpose
of identification, they adopted the name “Independent Tompkins’ Blues.”
At the breaking out of the Mexican War, in 1846, Sweeny was one of the
first to volunteer, and he was elected second lieutenant in Company A of
the First New York Volunteers, commanded by Col. Ward B. Burnett. On
Christmas day, 1846, Messrs. Gould, Banks & Company, uniting with a
large number of individuals in their employ, took the occasion—which was
also his birthday—to present Lieutenant Sweeny “a handsome pair of
revolving pistols as a token of esteem and regard.”
On Jan. 8, 1847, Sweeny’s regiment, to the number of about 800 men,
sailed from New York for the seat of war. At Lobos Island, near Vera
Cruz, where the troops landed, Lieutenant Sweeny was placed in command
of a detachment to prepare the ground for encampment. This was his first
command, and was “executed with dispatch and to the full satisfaction of
his superior officer.” Speaking of his subsequent movements an eye
witness says: “After the bombardment of Vera Cruz, his regiment with the
others, was marched into the interior. It was at Cerro Gordo, April 18,
1847, that Lieutenant Sweeny first practically smelt powder. Company A
and one other were detached to support Capt. Francis Taylor’s battery in
taking the first height. They cut a road through the chaparral for the
artillery, to the left of the enemy’s position, in order to turn it.
After reaching the base of the hill, and winding around it, they halted
for orders. They were here exposed to a raking fire of grape and
canister from the Mexican batteries.”
At Contreras, Aug. 19, 1847, where the New York regiment stood the whole
night in a gully up to their knees in mud, the men were greatly
encouraged by the bearing of Lieutenant Sweeny.
At Churubusco, Aug. 20, 1847, while leading his men into action, Sweeny
was struck in the groin by a spent ball. It passed through three pieces
of clothing and produced a painful, though not dangerous, wound.
Although advised to retire, he refused so long as he was able to stand.
In a few minutes he was again wounded, receiving a musket ball in the
right arm, but nevertheless he continued to lead and animate his men
until he sank from exhaustion and loss of blood and had to be carried to
the rear.
The wound in his arm proved to be so serious that amputation was found
to be necessary in order to save his life. General Shields, who was
present at the operation, was affected even to tears at the fortitude
displayed by Sweeny, who, notwithstanding the fact that no anæsthetics
were used, showed not the slightest signs of flinching under the
terrible ordeal.
On his return to New York city, in 1848, Lieutenant Sweeny was received
with much honor; he was brevetted captain by the governor of the state,
and was presented a silver medal by the city government. He was also
given a “grand reception ball” at Castle Garden, which was described as
the “largest and most brilliant ball of the season.” Among the invited
guests were ex-President Martin Van Buren, Major-Gen. John A. Quitman,
U. S. A., Hon. Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania, Hon. William B. Maclay, M.
C., representatives of the city and state governments and other people
of note.
On recommendation of General Scott, Sweeny was appointed by the
president a second lieutenant in the Second United States Infantry,
March 3, 1848, and from March to July, 1848, he was stationed at Fort
Columbus, Governor’s Island, New York harbor. During August and
September, 1848, Lieutenant Sweeny was at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri,
and in October, 1848, he was stationed at Fort Hamilton, New York
harbor, on recruiting service.
Nov. 8, 1848, his regiment, under command of Brevet Maj.-Gen. Bennett
Riley, who had been appointed military governor of California, sailed
from New York for California _via_ Cape Horn. At Rio Janerio, where they
stopped several days, they were entertained at a ball aboard the United
States steamship _Brandywine_. They reached Monterey, Cal., April 6,
1849, and soon established regimental headquarters at San Diego.
On June 11, 1851, Sweeny was promoted to be first lieutenant in the
Second Infantry. In 1852 he engaged in the Yuma Indian War, and
commanded an expedition of twenty-seven men, who penetrated into the
Cocopa country in May, and after a sharp engagement, captured one
hundred and twenty-five armed warriors and marched them into Camp Yuma,
where a treaty was entered into which broke up the confederation of the
River tribes. While engaged on this duty, Sweeny received a severe arrow
wound in the neck.
In 1854 he was ordered to Fort Pierre, in what was then northern
Nebraska, where he served as aid to Gen. William S. Harney,
participating in the campaign against the Sioux in 1855–’56, and was
present at the “Great Treaty” made with the Sioux nation at Fort Pierre,
at which many famous chiefs were present. In 1858 Sweeny was ordered to
New York city on recruiting service, and was stationed there when the
Rebellion broke out.
Jan. 19, 1861, he was promoted to captain, and soon after was ordered by
General Scott to proceed to St. Louis, Mo., and assume command of the
United States arsenal there. It contained at this time sixty thousand
stand of arms, several field batteries, a number of heavy guns, a
million and a half of ball cartridges, over forty tons of powder and a
large quantity of other munitions of war. Captain Sweeny had only forty
unassigned recruits under him to defend this vast property, while in the
city were over three thousand Confederate minute-men, armed and drilled,
to be ready at a moment’s notice. Learning of a threatened attack,
Sweeny let it be known that he would blow up the arsenal sooner than
allow it to be captured, and he meant what he said. So they did not make
the attempt.
Sweeny was brigadier-general of Missouri Infantry, May 20 to Aug. 14,
1861; made colonel of Fifty-second Illinois Infantry, Jan. 21, 1862; was
brigadier-general of volunteers, Nov. 29, 1862, to Aug. 24, 1865;
commissioned major in the Sixteenth United States Infantry, Oct. 20,
1863, and was retired with the full rank of brigadier-general, United
States army, May 11, 1870.
In June, 1861, General Sweeny took command of the Southwest expedition,
and proceeded to Springfield, Mo., where he assumed command of all the
United States forces in that part of the state, including Siegel’s and
Saloman’s regiments, which had left St. Louis with two 4–gun batteries.
July 20, General Sweeny took command of a flying column of twelve
hundred men, moved on a depot of Confederate supplies at Forsyth, Mo.,
and captured the same. He led the Second Kansas regiment at the battle
of Wilson’s Creek, Aug. 10, 1861, General Lyon leading the First Iowa.
Sweeny was severely wounded, but after the death of Lyon favored
following up the enemy. Sturgis, who succeeded Lyon in command, however,
decided otherwise.
As colonel of the Fifty-second Illinois, Sweeny was attached to General
Grant’s army, and after the capture of Fort Donelson took charge of six
thousand prisoners of war _en route_ to Alton, Ill. At the battle of
Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing), April 6 and 7, 1862, Sweeny commanded the
Third Brigade of the Second Division, Army of the Tennessee, the brigade
comprising about five thousand, five hundred men. Towards the close of
the first day’s battle, his command occupied a ravine near Gen. W. T.
Sherman’s left, known as the “Hornet’s Nest.”
Speaking of this battle General Sherman has said: “I remember well that
Col. Thomas W. Sweeny, a one-armed officer who had lost an arm in the
Mexican war and did not belong to my command, stood near by and quickly
spoke up: ‘I understand perfectly what you want; let me do it.’
‘Certainly,’ said I; ‘Sweeny, go at once and occupy that ravine,
converting it into a regular bastion.’ He did it, and I attach more
importance to that event than to any of the hundred achievements which I
have since heard ‘saved the day,’ for we held that line and ravine all
night, and the next morning advanced from there to certain victory.”
In this battle Sweeny was again wounded, “receiving a minié ball in his
remaining arm and another shot in his foot, while his horse fell riddled
with seven balls. Almost fainting from loss of blood, he was lifted upon
another horse and remained on the field through the entire day. His
coolness and his marvelous escapes were talked of before many campfires
throughout the army.”
Capt. C. H. Fish, Fifty-second Illinois, speaking of the first day’s
battle at Shiloh, wrote of Sweeny: “Colonel Sweeny came riding up the
line and reached our regiment, but not recognizing it, asked: ‘What
regiment is this?’ On my telling him it was the Fifty-second Illinois,
he said: ‘Well, I am at home once more. I guess I will stay here.’ Our
colonel had only one arm—the left one; the other he lost in Mexico. When
on drill or review he held the reins in his teeth and sword in left
hand. The balls seemed to fill the air at this moment, the firing was so
terrific, but our colonel [Sweeny] coolly sat on his horse, quietly
smoking a cigar, ever and anon removing it and puffing forth vast
quantities of smoke. Presently a minié ball came cutting through the
air, struck his cigar, and cut it off at his teeth, doing some slight
injury to his moustache. Yet not a muscle moved. He quietly replaced the
cigar with a fresh one and smoked away.”
After the battle of Shiloh, Sweeny was granted a leave of absence owing
to disability resulting from wounds received. During this period he was
presented an elegant sword by the city of Brooklyn, N. Y. At the
expiration of his leave, he again took the field, returning in time to
participate in the battle of Iuka and the siege of Corinth—Oct. 3 and 4,
1862,—where he was again wounded, and had a horse shot under him. Gen.
Thomas A. Davies, commanding the Second Division, in his report of the
battle of Corinth, states that “Colonel Sweeny, commanding First
Brigade, behaved in the most gallant manner throughout, and should be
immediately promoted.”
Sweeny was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, Nov. 29, 1862.
In the Atlanta campaign, he commanded the Second Division of the
Sixteenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. At Snake Creek Gap he took
possession of the “Gap” with his division twenty-four hours before the
arrival of supporting cavalry, and held it in spite of the desperate
efforts of the enemy to dislodge him. Subsequently he took part in the
battle of Resaca, and forced a passage across the Oostenaula river, at
Lay’s Ferry, where he fought a successful battle which resulted in Gen.
“Joe” Johnston’s retreat southward. He also took part in the battles of
Dallas and Kennesaw Mountain, the actions at Nickajack Creek, Ruff’s
Mills, Rome Cross Roads, Calhoun’s Ferry and other engagements.
At the battle before Atlanta, July 22, 1864, his division drove the
enemy back with great slaughter, capturing four battle flags and nine
hundred prisoners. This was the day that General McPherson was killed—he
had shared Sweeny’s tent the previous night. At the conclusion of the
battle Gen. Frank P. Blair, commanding the Seventeenth Army Corps, who
had witnessed the repulse by Sweeny’s division, rode down at the head of
his staff to where Sweeny stood and grasping him warmly by the hand,
said: “Sweeny, I congratulate you. You have saved the army of the
Tennessee!”
General Sweeny was one of the Guard of Honor in charge of the remains of
President Lincoln when they lay in state in the city hall, New York. On
Aug. 24, 1865, Sweeny was mustered out of the volunteer service, and was
in command of the post at Nashville, Tenn., to October of that year.
An ardent lover of the land of his birth, General Sweeny longed for the
day and the hour when, on the field of battle, he might meet the common
foe of his adopted and of his native land. Even while lying disabled by
his wounds in Mexico, he had made arrangements to cast himself into the
then expected struggle for Irish independence, but the opportunity was
not afforded him. In 1856, while he was stationed at Fort Pierre,
Nebraska territory, he wrote to his family: “I see they are making
another movement for Irish independence. I hope it will amount to
something this time. E——, how would you like me to embark in such an
undertaking? We might accomplish great things—do deeds that our children
could point at on the page of history with pride—perhaps help to pull a
sinewy tyrant from his throne, and raise a prostrate people from chains
to liberty.”
It was not, however, until after the close of the Civil War that the
opportunity arrived. In 1865 the Fenian congress assembled in
Philadelphia to decide upon the best means to adopt to obtain the
liberation of Ireland. General Sweeny appeared before this convention
and submitted to it his plan for the invasion of Canada. He also offered
his services to aid in carrying out the plan, both plan and services
being accepted. He was appointed secretary of war of the Fenian
Brotherhood, and commander-in-chief of the Irish forces with the rank of
major-general; William R. Roberts, a prominent merchant of New York and
afterwards United States minister to Chili, was appointed president.
In 1866, General Sweeny was offered, by the Mexican government, the
grade of general of division in the Mexican army, which he declined. He
was finally retired from active service May 11, 1870, with the rank of
brigadier-general, U. S. A. He was wounded so often in battle that on
one occasion, after an engagement, General Grant met him and laughingly
said: “How is it, Sweeny, that you have not been hit? There must be some
mistake. This fight will hardly count unless you can show another
wound!”
In a sketch of General Sweeny published some years ago, Junius Henri
Browne, war correspondent of the _New York Tribune_, says: “Sweeny is,
as his name indicates, an Irishman by birth, but an American to the
backbone. No soldier was more devoted to the Union cause, or fought more
valiantly for the integrity of the republic.”
General Sweeny was twice married. His first wife was Eleanor Swain Clark
of Brooklyn, N. Y., daughter of John and Hepsabeth (Paddock) Clark. In
both the paternal and maternal line, she was descended from the Coffins,
Barnards, Folgers, Husseys, Macys and Swains, who were among the ten
purchasers of Nantucket in 1659. She was sixth in descent from John
Swain, 2d, son of John Swain, 1st, and Mary (Weir) Swain, the first male
white child born on the island (in 1664), and seventh in descent from
Benjamin Franklin.
General Sweeny’s second wife—who survives him—was Eugenia Octavia Reagan
of Augusta, Ga., daughter of Dr. Francis Washington Reagan and Sarah
Cecelia (Refo) Reagan. Her paternal ancestors were among the first
settlers of the present states of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and
Tennessee. Through her paternal great-grandmother, Mary Dandridge of
Virginia, Mrs. Sweeny is descended from Dorothea Spotswood Dandridge,
the second wife of Patrick Henry, and Martha Dandridge Custis, the wife
of George Washington.
After retirement from the army General Sweeny virtually withdrew to
private life. The last public act of his “long, varied and useful
career,” was to use his personal aid and influence to secure a fund for
the erection of a home at Austin, Texas, for disabled Confederate
veterans.
General Sweeny died at his residence, 126 Franklin street, Astoria, Long
Island, April 10, 1892. He was buried in the family plot, Greenwood
cemetery, with military honors, six batteries of the First U. S.
Artillery furnishing the escort. The following are a few of the many
tributes paid the deceased soldier:
Gen. W. T. Sherman: “One of my ‘Old Guard.’”
Gen. J. M. Schofield: “General Sweeny was regarded by all who knew him
as an exceedingly brave soldier and an ardent patriot.”
Gen. F. Sigel: “He was an eminent soldier and a patriotic citizen.”
Gen. Robert Nugent: “His gallant and unblemished record in the army is a
matter of history.”
Gen. John P. Hawkins: “He was a brave soldier and an honest man.”
_Army and Navy Journal_: “As gallant, warmhearted and impulsive an
officer as ever wore the uniform.”
Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia: “Many noble qualities distinguished
that truly Christian soldier.”
_Harper’s Weekly_: “A distinguished soldier of three wars, whose conduct
at Shiloh won Sherman’s especial praise.”
_New York Recorder_: “From lieutenant, to brigadier-general, he honored
every position held by him during a period of service commencing with
the Mexican War.”
Military order of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of the State of New York:
“General Sweeny was a man of noble heart and the highest aspirations.”