Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-19

The gallant Col. Thomas w. Sweeny.
who, from news Just received, has again
been wounded in the recent great battle
at Pittsburg in the defense of his cOun-
try's flag aud in the maintenance of its
laws, was born in Ireland, and came TO
this country with his parents when about
ten years of age. On the passage across
the Atlantic he was washed overheard.
but in the providence of God was saved.
At an early age he went to Patterson, N.
j., where he was apprenticed to the
printing business. He afterwards came
to this city, and was engaged as a com
positOr till the war with Mexico was de-
clared. He was among The first TO vol
unteer in the service of his adopted
country in the capacity of Second Lieu
tenant lie was at the storming of Vera
Cruz, and was twice wounded in the
battle ct the taking of the City of Mex
leo, losing his right arm. On Col. Swee-
ny's return to this city he received the
commission of Second Lieutenant. I'd
Regiment U. S. Infantry, and was soon
ordered to California, where he performed
many arduous duties, from which he
never faltered; among the fist Of which
was theqaking a detachment Of recruits
in state of disorganization across the
desert, from San Diego TO the interior,
without losing q man. He was after
ward assigned TO Fort Yuma, on the Col
orado, with command Of ten men and
shut off for ten months from all commu-
nication with the settlements, and sur
rounded by a large band of hostile In
dians, but for his watchfulness and in
defatigabe intrepidity, would have been
massacred before being relieved From
California he, with a portion Of his regi-
ment, was ordered TO Fort Pierre, in
Northern Nebraska, where he served as
Aid to Gen. Harvey, and when arduous
duty was required he was always at his
post. At the commencement Of the re-
bellion, Col Sweeny was on the recruiting
service, but was ordered to Newport Bar
racks, and soon afterward to the COM
mand of st. Louis Arsenal. This was
previous to the time when Gen. Lyon took
the command. He was second in COM
mand at the surrender of the notorious
rebel, Claib. Jackson, when, Gen. Lyon
being disabled by kick from his horse
the negotiations were conducted by Col.
Sweeny, He was afterward appointed
Brigadier- General of the three months
Missouri volunteers. Previous to the bat
tie Of Wilson's Greek, when it was de-
cided not to attack the rebel Gen. Price,
Gen. SWceny was so impressed that a
retreat would be worse than a defeat,
that he prevailed on Gen. Lyon to make
the attack. In that battle ne was again
wounded, and still carries the ball in his
leg. At the close of the battle, when
General Sturgis assumed the command,
Gen Sweeny was urgent in following up
the retreating rebels, believing that had
il been done, they would have been COM
PEELED to surrender. Gen. Sweeny is as
noble and generous as he is gentlomanly
and brave. Devoted entirely to his a.
dopted country, when the rebellion broke
GU he thus expressed himself in letter
to friend: | will, through flood and
flame, sacrifice, if necessary, any remain
ing limb in defense of my country's flag.
Such merit as his is not likely to be
overlooked by the Government,--M 4
| Tribune.