Joseph S. G. Sweatt

Born in Boscawen, New Hampshire, on October 23, 1843, he served as a private in Company C of the 6th Massachusetts Infantry. First enlisting in May 1861 into the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry, he was discharged after the death of his mother but soon reenlisted in September 1862 after her death.{{Cite news |date=May 30, 1906 |title=RISKED DEATH ON A FIRE SWEPT FIELD |pages=5 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/431059603/?terms=Joseph%20S.%20G.%20Sweatt&match=1 |access-date=December 19, 2022}} He earned his medal at Carrsville on May 15, 1863, when he attempted with the aid of David Goodhue to rescue the wounded George Fox. Goodhue was killed and Sweatt and Fox were taken prisoner and held in Libby Prison, where Fox later died.{{Cite news |date=May 30, 1919 |title=MEMORIAL DAY - Fighting His Battles Over Again |pages=13 |work=The Oberlin Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/374989340/?terms=Joseph%20S.%20G.%20Sweatt&match=1 |access-date=December 19, 2022}}{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1914 |title=Joseph S. G. Sweatt |pages=5 |work=Boston Evening Transcript |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/735626072/?terms=Joseph%20S.%20G.%20Sweatt&match=1 |access-date=December 19, 2022}}

Prior to the war, Sweatt was a brass worker. He worked in Charlestown after the war at the navy yard and as a fireman.{{Cite news |date=February 16, 1914 |title=HONORED FOR BRAVERY |pages=6 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/430647668/?terms=Joseph%20S.%20G.%20Sweatt&match=1 |access-date=December 19, 2022}} He made his own firm, Sweatt & Chase, and retired in 1901. He died in East Billerica on February 14, 1914, and is now buried in Medford's Oak Grove Cemetery.{{Cite web |title=Joseph Sewell Gerrish Sweatt {{!}} U.S. Civil War {{!}} U.S. Army {{!}} Medal of Honor Recipient |url=https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/joseph-s-sweatt |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=Congressional Medal of Honor Society |language=en}} He was married to Sarah Hume and had five children with her. A loyal member of the G.A.R, he was buried at two o'clock pm on February 18, 1914.{{Cite news |date=February 18, 1914 |title=WAS MEDAL OF HONOR MAN |pages=8 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/430647842/?terms=Joseph%20S.%20G.%20Sweatt&match=1&article=9fcd1b4f-6899-4bcd-81c4-ae7fab383251 |access-date=December 19, 2022}}

When ordered to retreat this soldier turned and rushed back to the front, in the face of heavy fire of the enemy, in an endeavor to rescue his wounded comrades, remaining by them until overpowered and taken prisoner.

Date Issued: March 22, 1892

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Category:1843 births

Category:1914 deaths

Category:Union army soldiers

Category:People from Boscawen, New Hampshire

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