The times., 1897-08-18
DEATH OF GENERAL SWAIN
Disease From Which He Long Suf-
fered Proves Fatal.
His Long Career in the Serrice of
His CouDtry-The SORROW
of His Wife.

Brig. Gen David G. Swain died at
his residence, 5000 Fourteenth street,
Mount Pleasant, at IL O'Clock yesterday
morning, OF Bright's disease after an
illness of two years.
gen. Swaim's illness was long and wear
ing, but he was not obliged 20 take to
his bed until last Friday. Gen. SwaiTn's
wife, h's daughter Mrs. L. L. Thompson,
aud MI Thompson, his only near relatives,
were at his bedside when he died
David Gaskill Swain was born in Ohio
on December %, lS32. He was com
missionec as a second lieutenant OF vol
unteerS on October 4, 1861, and attached
TO the Sixty fifth Ohio Infantry. He at
tanned the rank of captain and assistant
adjutant general May is, 1862, and was
promoted to major February Z, 1868.
He was honorably mustered out ca the
consolidation OF the army in 1866. He
was brevetted colonel on March 13, 1865,
for faiUhfG! and meritorious services during
the war.
Shortly after being mustered out of the
volunteer service he was appointed a See
ond lieutenant In the Thirty fourth In
fantry, cn July %, 1856.
He was appointed ma 5or and judge adyo-
cate in the United States Army Dece,aber
9, 1863, and brigadier general ami judy.
advocate general February IS, 1881. Els
service in the regular Army as assistant
| To- the judge advocate general and on other
details kept him in Washington for many
years.
Tue remarkable series of events in con-
nection with Gen. Swaim's trial and con
viciioil OF Conduit prelndical to good order
and discipline" and his final justification
in the latter years OF his life, attract ell
widespread attention and interest. The
latter developments of this episode in his
life occurred only three years ago.
1t is said that the finding OF the court
martial in his case in 1884. al nd his subse
| quent struggles To have it reversed were
great blight on the happiness OF his life.
! from the effects Of Which he never entire
! ly recovered.
In 1854 Gen. Swain was accused by
| Seerei;4ry or War Endicott of giving evasive
| answers 10 him regarding a certain tranSac-
ton. He was tried by order OF the Sec
reiary OF the charges OF fraud and conduct
| prejadcial to good order and discipline
/ The court acquitted him of the first charge,
| but convicted him OF the second, and SEN
fenced him TO suspension from rank and
| duty on half pay for twelve years, or until
| the date of his retirement
Gen. Swa aim sued in tile Court OF Claims
for the restoration of his pay, and was
morally vindicated by that court in a tle
cision that he had committed no offense
| The court decided, however, that it had
not jurisdiction 10 review court mar tial
| trials. Gen. Swain carried his case TO the
Supreme Court, and it was decided against
Kim.
on December 3, 1894, before the date Of
Gen. SwaiiIEs retirement, Secretary La
mont, at the direction Of President Cleve-
| land, renntted the unexpired portion OF his
sentence. and restored him TO his fun rank
and pay. He was soon after retired, and
lad lived in Washington at his hume in
| Mount Pleasant since that time
! The funeral arrangements OF Gen Swain
have not yet been made.