Thomas William Sweeny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas William Sweeny
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Sweeney in his Brigadier general attire, c. 1865
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Fighting Tom |
| Born | December 25, 1820 Cork, Ireland |
| Died | April 10, 1892 (aged 71) Long Island, New York |
| Place of burial |
Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York
|
| Allegiance | United States of America Union Fenian Brotherhood |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1865, 1866–1870 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War
|
| Other work | Secretary of War |
Thomas William Sweeny was an amazing Irish-American soldier. He was born on Christmas Day in 1820. He fought bravely in the Mexican–American War. Later, he became a general for the Union Army during the American Civil War. People called him "Fighting Tom" because he was so courageous.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Early Life and Military Start
Thomas Sweeny was born in Cork, Ireland, on December 25, 1820. He moved to the United States in 1833. In 1846, he joined the army as a second lieutenant (a junior officer). He fought in the Mexican–American War under General Winfield Scott.
During the war, Sweeny was badly hurt. He was wounded in one battle. In another, the Battle of Churubusco, his right arm was so badly injured that doctors had to remove it. Even with this serious injury, he kept serving in the army. His fellow soldiers admired his bravery and gave him the nickname "Fighting Tom." He also fought in the Yuma War against Native Americans between 1850 and 1853.
Fighting in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Sweeny was in charge of the army's weapons storage (called an arsenal) in St. Louis, Missouri. Some people who supported the Confederate side tried to make him give up the arsenal. But Sweeny refused, saying he would blow it up first!
In May 1861, he helped capture Camp Jackson, a place where Confederate supporters were training. He also helped organize local defense groups called the Home Guards. He was made a brigadier general (a high-ranking officer) in this group.
General Sweeny led soldiers in many important battles. He commanded the Fifty-second Illinois regiment at Fort Donelson. At the Battle of Shiloh, he led a group of soldiers (called a brigade). He successfully defended a weak spot in the Union line. He was wounded again, getting shot twice in his remaining arm and once in a leg. But he stayed on the battlefield until the fight ended. Everyone admired his determination.
Later, he commanded a larger group of soldiers, a division, during the Atlanta Campaign. At the Battle of Atlanta, Sweeny's division stopped a surprise attack by Confederate General John Bell Hood. During this battle, Sweeny even got into a fight with his own corps commander, General Grenville M. Dodge. This happened because Dodge gave orders directly to Sweeny's soldiers, which was against the rules. Sweeny was put on trial for this but was found innocent. He left the volunteer army in August 1865.
Later Years and Fenian Raids
In 1866, Thomas Sweeny led an attempt by a group called the Fenian Brotherhood to invade Canada. This was part of their plan to help Ireland gain independence from Britain. After this event, he was arrested for breaking laws about being neutral between countries. However, he was released soon after.
He rejoined the regular army later that year as a major. He retired from the army in May 1870 as a brigadier general.
Death
Thomas Sweeny spent his retirement in Astoria, on Long Island. He passed away there on April 10, 1892. He is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
