Armstrong County PA Archives Biographies.....Sirwell, Col. William August 10, 1820 - ????
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Source: History of Armstrong County, Chicago: Waterman, Watkins and Co. 1883.
Author: Robert Walter Smith, Esq.

  ...William Sirwell, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Graham) 
Sirwell, both natives of England, was born in the United 
States army, at the Allegheny arsenal, on August 10, 1820, 
his father, who had been principal musiciap, at that time 
being armorer at the arsenal.  Of a military turn of mind he 
entered the militia service in 1839, and commanded in 
succession the City Blues, of Pittsburgh, and the Washington 
Blues, Brady Alpines and Kittanning Yeagers, of Kittanning, 
to which place he removed in 1855.  He was also for ten 
years brigade inspector of Armstrong county.  In person he 
is six feet in height, broad shouldered and robust.  He was 
married on November 6, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth McCandless, 
of Butler county.  They have had eight children, viz.: 
Lucinda Ann, Alexander Nelson (dead), Sarah C., Mary H., 
William Mitchell, Samuel (dead), Elizabeth M., and Emma J. 
(dead).

  In 1854 being in Iowa, he raised at Davenport the first 
military company in the state, and in 1855, while on his way 
home, he organized in Pittsburgh the first military company 
of colored men known to have been formed in the United 
States.  They were called the Hannibal Guards.

  On the breaking out of the rebellion Col. Sirwell with his 
company, the Brady Alpines above mentioned, were the first 
company in Western Pennsylvania to offer their services to 
the United States government, and were at once accepted and 
served through the three months compaign in the 9th regt. 
Pa. Vol. Inf., under Gen. Patterson, in Virginia.  Upon the 
expiration of their term of service and return home, Capt. 
Sirwell at once proceeded to organize the 78th regt. Pa. 
Vol. Inf., was commissioned colonel of the same, and with 
his brigade, under the command of Gen. James S. Negley, 
ordered to the army then stationed in Kentucky.  In the 
affair at Lavergne, one of the actions for the defense of 
Nashville, the regiment particularly distinguished itself, 
and its commander was complimented by Gen. Negley and by 
Andrew Johnson, then military governor of Tennessee.  At 
Stone River the regiment captured the White Horse Artillery, 
of New Orleans, consisting of four twelve-pounder brass 
Napoleon guns, the regimental colors of the 26th Rebel 
Tennessee, and the guidon of the 4th Florida.  As a reward 
of his service here, Col. Sirwell was made provost marshall 
of Murfreesboro, and was afterward placed in command of the 
3rd brigade, 2nd division, of the 14th corps, department of 
the Cumberland.  In the terrible conflicts of Chickamauga 
and Missionary Ridge, and in the subsequent campaign of 
Atlanta, he rendered valuable services.  At New Hope Church 
so m arked was his gallantry that he was commended by Gen. 
Thomas.  When Atlanta finally was taken after a compaign of 
a hundred days in which the smoke of battle scarcely cleared 
away, it became difficult to keep open the base of supplies, 
stretching away to Chattanooga.  Col. Sirwell was assigned 
to this duty and preserved unbroken the line of 
transportation, supplies being rapidly brought up.  After 
his term of service expired, at the solicitation of the 
commander of the department, Col. Sirwell remained in the 
field, his regiment as mounted infantry being employed in 
attacking and pursuing Forrest's cavalry through Middle and 
Southern Tennessee.

  Col. Sirwell was a gallant but prudent officer.  He was 
much admired by his brother officers and the men of his 
command.  He was made the recipient of two swords, both 
handsome and valuable ones, but prized by him more dearly 
for their associations than aught else.

  At one time Col. Sirwell saw fit to resign his command 
(which, however, he almost immediately resumed), and the 
officers of the 78th regt. at that time, November 20, 1863, 
presented him with the following resolutions: Whereas, Col. 
William Sirwell has felt it his duty to resign his 
commission as colonel of this regiment, we, the commissioned 
officers, do resolve, 1.  That we sustain Col. Sirwell in 
the cause that induced him to take this step which sunders 
the reciprocal ties which for over two years have held him 
and his military family together.  Declining health induced 
by hard service in the field entitle 'the old soldier' to an 
honorable retirement. 2.  That the history of this regiment 
from its organization to this time, its superior discipline, 
its undaunted courage on the field of battle, and its 
complete appointment in every department are the handiwork 
of Col. Sirwell, and stamp him as a military commander of 
the first order. 3.  That the name and services of Col. 
Sirwell will ever be associated in our minds with 
recollections of Lamb's Ferry, White Creek, Neely's Bend, 
Goodletsville, Lavergne, Brentwood and Stone River, Dug  
Gap, Chickamauga. 4.  That the kindness of disposition and 
the frankness of Col. Sirwell have endeared him both to 
officers and men, and in parting with him they feel that 
they are losing a father, who watched over them with fond 
care. 5.  That we each and all resolve here tonight in 
taking the parting hand of Col. Sirwell that we will do our 
utmost to bring this regiment home to him with its colors 
flying and its bright escutcheon untarnished. 6.  To William 
Sirwell, late colonel of this regiment, the strict 
disciplinarian, the accomplished soldier, the high-toned 
gentleman, the kind and genial companion - you have toiled 
with us, you have endured all the sufferings and enjoyed 
many of the glories of the soldier's life - to you we say 
farewell, and God bless you. 7.  Resolved, that copies of 
these resolutions be forwarded to Col. Sirwell and to the 
papers in Kittanning (except the Mentor), Indiana, Clarion, 
Butler, Lawrence and Pittsburgh. (Signed by the commissioned 
officers of the 78th Regiment).

  Having performed his duties faithfully to the government 
during the time of war, Col. Sirwell has since resided in 
Kittanning, and has held the offices of postmaster and 
justice of the peace.  He has spent much time in collecting 
curiosities and relics, especially those which pertain to 
Armstrong county and has perhaps the most valuable private 
cabinet in Western Pennsylvania.


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