Birth: Dec. 4, 1833 Newville Cumberland County Pennsylvania.
Death: Jan. 4, 1863 Summersville Sullivan County Tennessee.
Wife: Sarah M Swoyer (____ - 1870).
Children: Jacob Swoyer (____ - 1861).
urial: Newville Cemetery Newville Cumberland County Pennsylvania.
Kansas Seventh Cavalry.
Company B.
Captain Fred Swoyer was a man of great physical courage, but exceedingly reckless. In the winter of 1861-'62 he did a little steeple-chasing down Delaware street, in Leavenworth, and while putting his horse over a sleigh loaded with cord- wood, standing across the street, the animal fell and broke the captain's leg. He limped through the rest of his life. His death was the result of his recklessness, but he was brave and patriotic and did splendid service while he lived.
Fred Swoyer, Captain, Residence Eeavenworth, Mustered in October 5, 1861; Killed in actionJanuary 3, 1864, at Sumerville Tennessee.
The captain had discovered a quantity of commissary stores in a building near, and stationed a guard at the entrance. The captain himself had visited a house near by to obtain a breakfast, and there drank to such an extent as to become somewhat exhilarated. During his absence, a couple of men of his company persisted in an endeavor to pass into the store-house mentioned, but were prevented by the guard. On his return to his company the case was reported.
He directed the company to fall in, and the men alluded to deliver their arms and go in arrest. His tone was harsh and peremptory in the extreme. One of the men demurred, and attempted to explain. He commanded him to desist and remove his arms, drawing his pistol, and telling him he would shoot him if he said another word. The man again spoke, when the captain fired, the ball passing into the body of the man. Instantly one of the company fired at the captain, but did not wound him.
The captain rode toward him and the man ran. The captain soon overtook him, both riding rapidly, and shot him through the head, killing him instantly. At the same moment the man fired, and his ball passed through the body of the captain. The company was in confusion, and many shots were fired at the captain, who rode rapidly into town. He was taken into a house and died the following day.
Part of a report.
He directed the company to fall in, and the men alluded to deliver their arms and go in arrest. His tone was harsh and peremptory in the extreme. One of the men demurred, and attempted to explain. He commanded him to desist and remove his arms, drawing his pistol, and telling him he would shoot him if he said another word. The man again spoke, when the captain fired, the ball passing into the body of the man. Instantly one of the company fired at the captain, but did not wound him.
The captain rode toward him and the man ran. The captain soon overtook him, both riding rapidly, and shot him through the head, killing him instantly. At the same moment the man fired, and his ball passed through the body of the captain. The company was in confusion, and many shots were fired at the captain, who rode rapidly into town. He was taken into a house and died the following day.
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