The Irish standard., 1892-11-19
CEN. T. w. SWEENY
Ssketch OF an Irish Peasant Boy
Who Became Famous as an
@5.ss sss American General.
HIS DARING DEEDS IN MEXICO,

i Il -A z Z,
On the Plains, in the War for the
Union and as an Active
.s H Fenian In 1865.
In late number OF the Irish World
George Il. Kilmer has this to say con-
serning the life and services of Gen.
4hos, w. sweeny:
General ssveeny landed in New York
IN the thirahs, in 3 family Of exiles from
the faminesaricken island, and after few
years ofstudy in the public schools took
up the printers trade. Those we're the
days Of general training, when the ma
1ional militia made some show of keeping
the law, and every large city boasted
numerous companies Of organized sol
Aiery. Sweeny enrolled himself in band
known as the 'sBaxter Blues, and proved
20 good soldier that at the beginning of
the Mexican war he was elected a lieI-
tenant in the Second New York Volun-
Assrs. That regiment marched and
fought with Scott from Vera Cruz to the
City Of Mexico, and Sweeny was in every
battle up to Churubusco. He was
wounded there in the fierce attack led by
: General Shields against the flank OF
Banta Anna's army while the regulars
stormed the position In front. The Mex
jsans fought Shields with unusual dee-
peration in order to save their main line
from q Toe in the rear.
The New Workers. made brilliant
Sharge, lost heavily, and came out covered
withglory. Sweeny's right arm was shat
tered abye the elbow and was amputated
at the shoulder. On his arrival in New
York he was given public reception at
the Castle Garden Theatre, then the arena
tor great ceremonies, and was loaded
With honors. OF course the hand buried
IS Churubusco could not longer stick
type, and Uncle Sam kindly recognized
she hero stuff behind that empty sleeve
with commission in the regular army.
There was work in those days for the
regulars in making the fer, far West,
habitable for the ventursome white man,
snd Sweeny's regiment the Second In
fantry was in the California gold fields
slmost as soon as pick was struck in
the yellow earth OF 184a The regiment
was on the Colorado couple Of years
and built Fort Yuma as stronghold
against the Coyote and Yuma Indians,
who kept the warpath constantly, cap
turing and distressing the settlers, it they
did not do worse. In the summer Of
1851 the Indians got between the fort and
tho military base at San Diego, and the
garrison was cut off from supplies. The
commander saw no way out but to fall
back to San Diego, but didn't intend 10
give up the fort to the redskins. Sweeny
was lieutenant 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.
q The retreating garrison was followed
up by Indians, and shortly the country
between Fort Yuma and San Diego
swarmed with hostiles. Sweeny's band
was under siege from June 5 to Decem-
ber 6, and would have held out until
promised help came or starvation or mas.
saore overlook them but for the timely
arrival OF force OF soldiers from quar-
tor unsupported by the besiegers. A
Government exploring expedition under
military escort happened at the time to
be atwork on Colorado river remote from
the scene Of trouble, and on giving mp
their searches for the winter retired BY
the way OF Fort Yuma. The explorers
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' name 9
peg higher at the war Office, and il 1851
ha was captain o. his company.
NJ On the expiration Of his term in the
militia Sweeny accepted the colonelcy Of
ths 5d Illinois Regiment, and led it in
.ths Donelson campaign. At the bsttle
gof Shiloh he commanded q brigade il the
division under allace, which went to
srslief pf Sherman's troops on the first
critical time Sherman called
one AZ his colonels to take regi-..
j tsto sn sxp posed position between the
sting lines and hold il Of al hazards
order to keep the Confed ederates from
The colonel hesitated and
nioranee ioff the duty required
t thon The op rttauniitJ
q isl;ss lEllli :,Weeny Who swaS
l; sslaIs 1li ths General ma
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