Wager Swayne

Wager Swayne
Born	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Died	December 18, 1902(1902-12-18) (aged 68) New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Lawyer, Military officer
Known for	Union Army general during the American Civil War; Medal of Honor recipient; Military governor of Alabama during Reconstruction

Wager Swayne (November 10, 1834 – December 18, 1902) served as a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was recognized as the final major general of volunteers. He earned the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Second Battle of Corinth. Between March 2, 1867, and July 14, 1868, Swayne acted as the de facto military governor of Alabama under the Reconstruction Act, overseeing state affairs despite Robert M. Patton holding the official gubernatorial title. Throughout Reconstruction, he led Alabama's Freedmen's Bureau and played a significant role in founding educational institutions for African Americans. Notably, he was the first governor born after Alabama's admission to the Union.

Biography

Swayne was born in Columbus, Ohio, on November 10, 1834, as the son of Noah Haynes Swayne, who served as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. He completed his studies at Yale University in 1856 and subsequently pursued a legal career in Ohio.

In August 1861, Governor William Dennison appointed him major of the 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He participated in battles at Iuka and Corinth and was elevated to colonel following the death of his commanding officer. Swayne distinguished himself leading his regiment throughout the Atlanta and Carolinas Campaigns until he sustained severe injuries at Rivers' Bridge in February 1865, which necessitated amputation of his right leg.

President Abraham Lincoln appointed him brigadier general of volunteers on March 13, 1865; this promotion was ratified by the Senate on March 10. Subsequently, President Andrew Johnson appointed him major general of volunteers in 1866, with Senate confirmation following. In addition, he was commissioned colonel of the 45th U.S. Infantry Regiment and received a brevet promotion to major general in the Regular Army in 1867. Although he was mustered out of volunteer service in September 1867, he continued serving in the Regular Army.

Following the war, from July 1865 to January 1868, Swayne directed Alabama's Freedmen's Bureau and exercised control over state governance as military commander during Reconstruction until July 1868.

After a military reorganization in March 1869 merged his regiment into the 14th U.S. Infantry Regiment, Swayne retired from active duty on July 1, 1870. He then established a legal practice initially in Toledo, Ohio, before relocating to New York City in 1881, where he specialized in legal matters related to telegraph and railroad enterprises.

In recognition of his bravery at Corinth, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1893.

By May 1899, Swayne held a directorship at the North American Trust Company alongside notable individuals such as John G. Carlisle and Adlai E. Stevenson.

He passed away in New York City on December 18, 1902, and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 3, Lot 1406).

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization:

Lieutenant Colonel, 43rd Ohio Infantry. Place and date: Corinth, Mississippi, October 4, 1862. Entered service at: Columbus, Ohio. Born: November 10, 1834, Columbus, Ohio. Date of issue: August 19, 1893.

Citation: Displayed exceptional bravery by restoring order during a critical moment and leading his regiment in an assault.

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: Q–S
• List of American Civil War generals (Union)
• List of Ohio's American Civil War generals
• Bibliography of the American Civil War

References

• Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. .
• Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964. .