The officers of the 52nd Illinois Infantry presented these binoculars, called field glasses during the war.
The names of 31 officers from this regiment are engraved on the shields.
The officers of the 52nd Illinois Infantry presented these
binoculars, called field glasses during the war.
The names of 31
officers from this regiment are engraved on the shields.
In a letter to General Sweeny on Sept. 10, 1863 from LaGrange,
TN, the officers of the 52nd Illinois Infantry presented a
Tiffany sword, field glass, belt and sash as a expression of
their regard for him as an officer and a gentleman. They wrote,
in part: "If the severity of your discipline was a first
unpleasant, experience has convinced us both of its importance
and necessity; thereby serving to increase our respect for you as
an honest, faithful and impartial commander . . . By your
promotion we sustain a loss. Yet regarding you as eminently
deserving, and in every respect qualified to fill your position
[of Brigadier General]"
In a letter dated September 18, 1863 from LaGrange, Sweeny wrote
a touching letter of thanks to the officers of the gallant 52nd
Illinois for the presentation. He wrote, in part: "I shall
ever prize and guard them as the very apple of mine eye for they
speak to me through many of the best and sweetest associations of
my life."
"Brigadier General Tho. W. Sweeny, a token of respect and
confidence. Presented by the Officers of his late Regt., 52nd
III. Vol Infantry."
This photograph of Sweeny's Head Quarters and staff was taken in
July of 1863 at Corinth, Mississippi. He referred to the house
affectionately as "the White House." Sweeny appears to
be standing in front of the porch to the left. In his wartime
correspondence, Sweeny mentioned that he sent this photograph to
his daughter, Mary, in New York. During the battle of Corinth in
October of 1862, he recaptured a redan formerly occupied by his
brigade artillery, in a furious counterattack. Sweeny recaptured
his lost guns, and took 126 prisoners including three colonels,
four captains, three lieutenants and four stands of colors. He
was slightly wounded in his good arm and had a horse shot out
from beneath him.
Back to General Sweeny's Museum of
Civil War History