Second Lieutenant Harlan J. Swift, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 30, 1864 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 2d New York Mounted Rifles. Swift was 20 years old.
21 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 20, 1897, 32 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
Swift was born on October 2, 1843 in New Hudson, Columbia County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Buffalo, Erie County, New York. Swift died on October 6, 1910 in Lake View, New York, at the age of 67. He is buried at Cuba Cemetery in Cuba, New York.
Swift is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Having advanced with his regiment and captured the enemy's line, saw four of the enemy retiring toward their second line of works. He advanced upon them alone, compelled their surrender and regained his regiment with the four prisoners.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 2, 1843Born in New Hudson, Columbia County, New York
- July 30, 1864Act of valor — Petersburg, VirginiaAge 20. Company H, 2d New York Mounted Rifles
- July 20, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- October 6, 1910Died in Lake View, New YorkAge 67.
- Resting placeCuba CemeteryCuba, New York
