William Joyce Sewell
Encyclopedia
William Joyce Sewell was born in Castlebar
, County Mayo, Ireland immigrating to the United States
in 1851 where he worked in the merchant industry in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Camden, New Jersey
in 1860. He became a Union Army
officer during the American Civil War
who received America's highest military decoration the Medal of Honor
for his actions at the Battle of Chancellorsville
. He was also a postbellum U.S. Senator
from New Jersey
.
on August 28, 1861. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on July 7, 1862 and colonel on January 6, 1863.
Sewell received the Medal of Honor
in 1896, for having assumed command of a brigade
at the Battle of Chancellorsville
, Virginia
, May 3, 1863, where he was wounded. He was the only officer to be awarded the Medal of Honor while in command of a New Jersey regiment. It was awarded to him on March 25, 1896.
Sewell was severely wounded again at the Battle of Gettysburg
, Pennsylvania
, while commanding his unit along Emmitsburg Road on the second day of the battle, July 2, 1863. The wounds forced him from the field for a significant period of time. He resigned on July 6, 1863 and returned on October 1, 1864. When he came back, he was given command as Colonel of the 38th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, but did not hold that command long, as his wounds eventually caused him to end his Civil War field service and to be reassigned to command of Fort Powhatan in the Department of Virginia between January 1865 and April 1865. Sewell was mustered out of the volunteers on June 30, 1865.
In recognition of Sewell's service, on January 13, 1866, President
Andrew Johnson
nominated Sewell for appointment to the brevet
grade of brigadier general
, United States Volunteers
for "gallant and meritorious services at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va.," to rank from March 13, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866. On July 18, 1868, President Andrew Johnson nominated Sewell for appointment to the brevet grade of major general
of volunteers for "gallant and meritorious services during the war," to rank from March 13, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on July 23, 1868.
, serving from 1872 until 1881, and as the senate's president in 1876 from 1879 to 1880. Subsequently, he was elected to the United States Senate
as a Republican
and served from March 4, 1881, to March 3, 1887. During this period he chaired
:
He also served as one of the national commissioners for New Jersey to the World's Columbian Exposition
in Chicago in 1893, was in command of the Second Brigade of the National Guard
of New Jersey, and was appointed a member of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
. Sewell was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1887, 1889 and 1893 but was again elected to the United States Senate in 1895 and served from March 4, 1895. During this term he chaired the Committee on Enrolled Bills (Fifty-fourth Congress through Fifty-seventh Congress).
. His Senate seat, vacant because of his death, was filled by Prudential Insurance founder John F. Dryden
. Sewell was buried in http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/NJ/CA.html Harleigh Cemetery
, in Camden, New Jersey, in the Spring Grove Section, Lot 75. His grave is marked by a cross designed by sculptor Alexander Milne Calder
.
marker was erected on his grave site. He is one of three Civil War Union Brevet Generals interred in Harleigh, the others being Colonel George C. Burling
of the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
and Colonel Timothy C. Moore of the 34th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry.
Rank and Organization:
Citation:
Castlebar
Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
, County Mayo, Ireland immigrating to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1851 where he worked in the merchant industry in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
in 1860. He became a Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
officer during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
who received America's highest military decoration the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions at the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
. He was also a postbellum U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Civil War
Sewell began his Civil War service as a Captain with the 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
The 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was one of four regiments formed by Governor Charles Olden upon requisition of President Abraham Lincoln on July 24, 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, DC on August 24, 1861 and camped at Meridian Hill...
on August 28, 1861. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on July 7, 1862 and colonel on January 6, 1863.
Sewell received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
in 1896, for having assumed command of a brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
at the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, May 3, 1863, where he was wounded. He was the only officer to be awarded the Medal of Honor while in command of a New Jersey regiment. It was awarded to him on March 25, 1896.
Sewell was severely wounded again at the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day
The Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day was an attempt by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to capitalize on his first day's success. He launched the Army of Northern Virginia in multiple Gettsyburg Battlefield attacks on the flanks of the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George G...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, while commanding his unit along Emmitsburg Road on the second day of the battle, July 2, 1863. The wounds forced him from the field for a significant period of time. He resigned on July 6, 1863 and returned on October 1, 1864. When he came back, he was given command as Colonel of the 38th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, but did not hold that command long, as his wounds eventually caused him to end his Civil War field service and to be reassigned to command of Fort Powhatan in the Department of Virginia between January 1865 and April 1865. Sewell was mustered out of the volunteers on June 30, 1865.
In recognition of Sewell's service, on January 13, 1866, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
nominated Sewell for appointment to the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
grade of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
, United States Volunteers
United States Volunteers
United States Volunteers also known as U.S. Volunteers, U. S. Vol., or U.S.V.Starting as early as 1861 these regiments were often referred to as the "volunteer army" of the United States but not officially named that until 1898.During the nineteenth century this was the United States federal...
for "gallant and meritorious services at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va.," to rank from March 13, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866. On July 18, 1868, President Andrew Johnson nominated Sewell for appointment to the brevet grade of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
of volunteers for "gallant and meritorious services during the war," to rank from March 13, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on July 23, 1868.
Politics
After the war, Sewell worked in the railroad industry in New Jersey before being elected to the state senateNew Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
, serving from 1872 until 1881, and as the senate's president in 1876 from 1879 to 1880. Subsequently, he was elected to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and served from March 4, 1881, to March 3, 1887. During this period he chaired
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
:
- the Committee on Enrolled Bills (Forty-seventh Congress and Forty-eighth Congress),
- the Committee on Military Affairs (Forty-ninth Congress), and
- the Committee on the LibraryUnited States Congress Joint Committee on the LibraryThe Joint Committee on the Library is a joint committee of the United States Congress devoted to the affairs and administration of the Library of Congress, which is the library of the federal legislature. There are five members of each house on the committee. It has no subcommittees.The committee...
(Forty-ninth Congress).
He also served as one of the national commissioners for New Jersey to the World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
in Chicago in 1893, was in command of the Second Brigade of the National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
of New Jersey, and was appointed a member of the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
. Sewell was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1887, 1889 and 1893 but was again elected to the United States Senate in 1895 and served from March 4, 1895. During this term he chaired the Committee on Enrolled Bills (Fifty-fourth Congress through Fifty-seventh Congress).
Death
He died on December 27, 1901, at age 66, in Camden, New JerseyCamden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
. His Senate seat, vacant because of his death, was filled by Prudential Insurance founder John F. Dryden
John F. Dryden
John Fairfield Dryden was president of the Prudential Insurance Company and a United States Senator from New Jersey. He was known as the "father of industrial insurance".-Biography:...
. Sewell was buried in http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/NJ/CA.html Harleigh Cemetery
Harleigh Cemetery, Camden
Harleigh Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in both Collingswood and Camden, New Jersey. Harleigh Cemetery and Crematorium is one of the oldest cemeteries in New Jersey. Named Camden County Veterans Cemetery in 2007, the current President is Louis Cicalese. Harleigh cemetery is over of lush...
, in Camden, New Jersey, in the Spring Grove Section, Lot 75. His grave is marked by a cross designed by sculptor Alexander Milne Calder
Alexander Milne Calder
Alexander Milne Calder was an American sculptor best known for the architectural sculpture of Philadelphia City Hall. Both his son, Alexander Stirling Calder, and grandson, Alexander "Sandy" Calder, were to become significant sculptors in the 20th century.-Biography:Alexander Milne Calder was...
.
Legacy
In 2005 a government issue Medal of HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
marker was erected on his grave site. He is one of three Civil War Union Brevet Generals interred in Harleigh, the others being Colonel George C. Burling
George C. Burling
George Childs Burling was a United States Union Army officer during the American Civil War, serving mostly as colonel and commander of the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. Burling was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, raised on his father's farm and educated at a private school in...
of the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
The 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was regiment of infantry from New Jersey that served in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War.-Service:...
and Colonel Timothy C. Moore of the 34th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry.
Medal of Honor citation
- Colonel, 5th New Jersey Infantry. Place and Date: At Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Entered Service At: Camden, N.J. Born: December 6, 1835, Castlebar,Ireland. Date of Issue: March 25, 1896.
Citation:
- Assuming command of a brigade, he rallied around his colors a mass of men from other regiments and fought these troops with great brilliancy through several hours of desperate conflict, remaining in command though wounded and inspiring them by his presence and the gallantry of his personal example.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: Q–S