He was wounded at the Battle of Gaines' Mill on June 27, 1862. On April 3, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Sherwin for the award of the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general, United States Volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, for distinguished gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg and for gallant and meritorious services during the war, The U.S. Senate confirmed the award on May 18, 1866.