Person:William Swift (48)

Research Notes

• cos1776 note: there is something amiss with his military service during the Civil War that needs straightening out. Here's the status:
  • Some state that he was a Colonel. I have not found evidence to support this.
  • Some state that he served in the 17th Texas Cavalry. There is record of a "William H. Swift" serving as a private in this regiment ¹.
  • McDonald ² states that he served in the 3rd Brigade of the Texas state troops. I have not found evidence to support this.

1.   Swift, William H., in National Park Service.

   Swift, William H.
   
   REGIMENT NAME:17th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Moore's)
   SIDE:Confederate
   COMPANY:A
   SOLDIER'S RANK IN:Private
   SOLDIER'S RANK OUT:Private
   ALTERNATE NAME:
   FILM NUMBER:M227 roll 35
   NOTES:
   PLAQUE NUMBER:

2.   William Henry Swift, in Spaw, Patsy McDonald. The Texas Senate: Civil War to the Eve of Reform, 1861-1889
   p 112.

   William Henry Swift was born in Abbeville District, South Carolina, on March 12, 1816. His mother died, and the family began to move west when the boy was twelve, settling first in Alabama and then in Mississippi. By October, 1839, William and his brother Willis had settled in Nacogdoches County. In 1844 William married Nancy M. Walker, and prior to his war service they were reportedly farmers of meager means. When the Civil War began, Swift was among the first Confederate volunteers, serving with the 3rd Brigade of the Texas state troops. After the war he was elected sheriff of Nacogdoches County and served for several years. In a special election held October 3-6, 1871, Swift was elected to the Senate to fill the seat of the deceased Amos Clark. Senator Swift served in the Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth legislatures. The length of his service indicates that he managed to satisfy the qualifying requirements of the Republicans and still appeal to the Democratic resurgence. ...