Mexican War of 1845-1848; Fort Yuma; Sioux expedition, Nebraska Territory (Fort Pierre, S.D.); Civil War: Southwest Missouri, Georgia, battles of Shiloh and Corinth; Sweeny family genealogy.

Thomas William Sweeny was born in Cork County, Ireland in 1820, son of William Sweeny and Honora (Sweeny) Sweeny, who emigrated with their family to the U.S. in 1832. Selecting a military career, young Sweeny served in the Mexican War in 1846, where he lost his right arm as the result of a wound received in the battle of Churubusco. Following the Mexican War, he fought in two Indian campaigns: against the Yumas from Fort Yuma on the Colorado River from 1851 to 1853, and in the Sioux Expedition, 1855-1856 from Fort Pierre in Nebraska Territory, now South Dakota. In 1861 Sweeny was sent as brigadier general of the Missouri Volunteers to southwest Missouri to oppose Confederate occupation. Severely wounded in action, he was mustered out, but returned to service as colonel of the 52nd. Ill. Reg. in the Georgia campaign. He showed outstanding courage in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, was commissioned brigadier general. After the Civil War, Sweeny remained in the regular service until his retirement in 1870.

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