The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-12-08

daWning, the other the climax Of an Irish
exile's career. The pathway between waS
not all sunshine or there would be no 70
nance to follow, and Of course was not
all veiled In clouds.
General Sweeny landed in New York In
the thirties, In 4 family Of exiles from the
famine stricken island, and after a few
\ years Of study in the public schools took
up the printers trade. Those were the
days Of general training, when the national
militia made some show Of keeping the law,
and every large city boosted numerous
companies Of organized soldiery. Sweeny
enrolled himself in a band known as the
Baxter Blues," and proved 90 good a SOL
der that at the beginning Of the Mexican
war he was elected a lieutenant In the
Second New York volunteers. That regi-
ment marched and fought with Scott from
Vera Cruz to the City Of Mexico, and
Sweeny was in every battle up to Churu-
buseo He was wounded there IN the fierce
attack led by Gen. Shields against the
flank Of Santa Annals army while the
regulars stormed the position in front.
The Mexicans fought Shields with unusual
desperation In order to save their main line
from foe in the rear
The New Workers made a brilliant
charge, lost heavily and came out covered
with glory. Sweeny's right arm was shat
tered above the elbow and was amputated
at the shoulder. On his arrival In New
York be was given a public reception at
Castle Garden theater, then the arena for
great ceremonies, and was loaded with
honorS OF course the hand buried at
Churubusco could no longer stick type,
and Uncle Sam kindly recognized the hero
stun behind that empty sleeve with a com
mission in the regular army.
There was work in those days for the
regulars In making the far, far west habit
able for the venturesome white man, and
Sweeny's regiment-the Second infantry
was In the California gold fields almost rs
soon as a pick was stuck in the yellow
earth in 1919. The regiment was on the
Colorado q couple Of years and built Fort
Yuma as a stronghold against the Coyote
and Yuma Indians, who kept the warpath
constantly, capturing and distressing the
settlers, II they did not do worse. In the
summer Of 1851 the Indians got between
the fort and the military base at San Diego,
and the garrison was cut of from supplies.
The commander saw no way out but to
fall back to San Diego. but didn't intend
70 give up the fort TO the redskins. Sweeny
Na1 ANubeuAuN IN one OF the companies,
and with detachment Of ten men was
left TO hold the fort until the main body
could march to San Diego and bring back
help and material
The retreattcg garrison was followed up
BY Indians, and shortly the country be
tween Fort Yuma and San Diego swarmed
with hostiles. Sweeny's band was under
siege from June 5 TO Dec. Q, and would
have held out until promised help came or
starvation or massacre overlook them but
for the timely arrival Of a force Of soldiers
from n quarter unsuspected by the be-
hegers. A government exploring expedi-
ton under military escort happened at the
time TO be at work on Colorado river re
mote from the scene Of trouble, and on Civ
ing up their searches for the winter re-
tired BY the way Of Fort Yuma. The ex
plorers were we'll provided for the march,
and the two parties united made their way
TO the military posts in spite Of the red
skins.
The exploit put Sweeny's name n peg
higher at the war Office. and in 1851 be was
captain Of his company. In April he was
assigned TO duty at the St. Louis arsenal
under a major Of southern proclivities
During the excitement following Sumter
the seceders Of the state tried TO get pos