Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-06-15

I GEN. Z. ". SwEzNEY.-A cJ..csp0ndeni
of the y. Y. Tribune gives til following
short biography Of the Feriau Najor-Gen-
eral:
Gen Sweeney is in every sense cf the word a
true Irish gentleman. He was born at Dun
msnway, in the County Of CorL, Ireland, in
lo22, his family having been located in that
vicinity for n least a couple Of centuries His
father, William Sweeney, was possessed Of very
great force Of character, a quality which the
son iuheri.s. lie died in 1897, leaving a widow
With several children. Of whom Thomas was the
youngest. The widow ani children emigrated
to the United States, srl at an early age the
present General was apprenticed to the printing
business. In 1916. when the war between the
United States and Mexico broke out, he vas one
Of the first to volunteer, having joined Colonel
Ward 3. Burnett's lst Regiment Of New York
Volunteers, in Company \. OF which be was
soon elected Second Lieutenant
lie participated in nearly all the engagements
Of the campaign under Scott, from the siege Of
Vera Cruz TO the storming Of Cherubusco In
the action Of Cerro Gorio he received lance
wound in the face, the mark Of which he bears
10 this day. He was severely WOUNDED in the
right arm at Cherubusco, so severely that NOR
ihcatiOn ensued and rendered amputation Ne
cessary.
As a recognition Of his services, Lieut. Swee-
ney received the commission Of Second Lieuten-
ant in the u Regiment of T. 5. Infantry, and
was ordered TO California In the discharge Of
his duties there he elicited the warm approval
Of his superi0rs in command.
Subsequently, he was sent to Fort Pierre in
Northern Nebraska, where he acted as aid TO
Gen. HaTney. Next we find him in New York,
and while there receiving promotion TO . cap
laincy IN his regiment. At the outbreak Of the
ate Rebellion he was ordered to Newport bar
racks, and was subsequently, entrusted with the
command Of the ST. Louis arsenal, which he
held until the arrival Of Gen. Lyon. He was
second in command at the surrender Of the
State forces at Camp jackson, and eond Icted
the negotiations Of the surrender. He was
mainly instrumental in the organization Of the
Missouri three months volunteers. Of which be
was appointed Brigadier-G General.
He did good service in the brief campaign
under Lyon, and in the council Of war previous
20 the battle Of Wilson's Greek, while nearly all
the other officers urged a retreat, Gen. SWecney
opposed 1t, and declared i: more likely to result
IN disaster than 4 fight against superior mum
bers, and SO impressed was Lyon with the cor
rectuess Of his views, that he determined to act
on them. In the battle which foIlOWei, Gen.
Sweeney received bullet in the leg, which still
remains in the wound. II the engagement, the
gallant Lyon iell, and Sturges, who assumed
the command, determined to retreat. Sweeney
still opposed, and offered 10 lead his own brig
ade ID pursuit Of the enemy, as an earnest Of
his confidence. The plan was not adopted, aud
defeat, according to SWeeuey's predictions. was
the result.
After the disbanlment Of the Volunteers. be
vas cfsred and accepted the command Of the
sd Regiment Of Illinois Volunteers, and after
the capture OF Font Henry was placed in COM
maId cf that position. He was again wounded
IN the battle Of Pittsburgh Landing, receiving
two tulists IN his remaining arm. and auo,her
IN bis l,g. On he 29th Of September, 1852,
the commission Of full Brighter General Of
Volunteers was issued to hun, and he was also
raised 10 the rank Of Major in the Regular
Army, receiving tTo brevets Of Colonel and
Lieuteuant-Colonel. lie was soon after placed
in command Of division, and during the cam
paign under Grant, Thomas and Sherman. dis
charged the duties Of Acting Major General in
a manner that ELECTED very warm approval from
his superiors in command.
At the close Of the war be was brevettei
Major-General Of Volunteers foT distinguished
conduct in the field. He is in the prime Of life,
Of athletic build. about Eve feet ten inches in
hight. with fresh. fair complexion, keen.
blush gray eyes. profusion of waving long
dark hair. and short, though thick grown, mus
tsehs and Whiskers Of the same color.