Private Joseph Sewell gerrish Sweatt was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 15, 1863 in Carrsville, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 6th Massachusetts Infantry. Sweatt was 19 years old.
The medal was presented on March 22, 1892, 28 years after the action.
Sweatt was born on October 23, 1843 in Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. His Medal of Honor is credited to Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Sweatt died on February 14, 1914 in East Billerica, Massachusetts, at the age of 70. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford, Massachusetts.
Sweatt is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
When ordered to retreat, this soldier turned and rushed back to the front, in the face of heavy fire from the enemy, in an endeavor to rescue his wounded comrades, remaining by them until overpowered and taken prisoner.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 23, 1843Born in Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire
- May 15, 1863Act of valor — Carrsville, VirginiaAge 19. Company C, 6th Massachusetts Infantry
- March 22, 1892Medal of Honor presented
- February 14, 1914Died in East Billerica, MassachusettsAge 70.
- Resting placeOak Grove CemeteryMedford, Massachusetts
