Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1853, and was assigned to the cavalry. At the start of the Civil War he was first promoted to Captain in the 1st United States Regular Cavalry before receiving a commission of Lieutenant Colonel of Volunteers. At that rank he served as an Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Major General George Brinton McClellan before being elevated to Colonel and placed in command of the 16th New York Volunteer Cavalry. He led his men in actions in the Wilderness and Virginia Campaigns until late 1864. In 1865, his regiment was consolidated with the 13th New York Volunteer Cavalry, receiving the designation, 3rd Provisional Regiment, New York Volunteer Cavalry, which served in the defenses of Washington, D. C. until the end of the war. On March 13, 1865 he received brevets of both Brigadier General, US Volunteers and Brigadier General, US Regular Army for “gallant and meritorious services during the war”. His older brother, Jacob Bowman Sweitzer, commanded the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the war, and was also brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1853, and was assigned to the cavalry. At the start of the Civil War he was first promoted to Captain in the 1st United States Regular Cavalry before receiving a commission of Lieutenant Colonel of Volunteers. At that rank he served as an Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Major General George Brinton McClellan before being elevated to Colonel and placed in command of the 16th New York Volunteer Cavalry. He led his men in actions in the Wilderness and Virginia Campaigns until late 1864. In 1865, his regiment was consolidated with the 13th New York Volunteer Cavalry, receiving the designation, 3rd Provisional Regiment, New York Volunteer Cavalry, which served in the defenses of Washington, D. C. until the end of the war. On March 13, 1865 he received brevets of both Brigadier General, US Volunteers and Brigadier General, US Regular Army for “gallant and meritorious services during the war”. His older brother, Jacob Bowman Sweitzer, commanded the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the war, and was also brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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