He was born in 1841/42 (2 (19 in 1861), 3 (18 in 1860), 4 (8 in 1850), 6 (24 at death in 1866)). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4, 6).
In 1850, he was living in ward 2, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (4). He was living with Elias and Mary Swire (presumably his parents), and with other Swire's (presumably his siblings) (4).
In 1860, he was living in the 1st ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Elias and Mary Swire (presumably his parents) (3). He was a paperhanger (3).
When he enlisted, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2).
He enlisted and was mustered into service, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 14 October 1861 (1, 2). He was mustered in as a private, in company B (1, 2, 8).
On 28 March 1862, he left Franklin Barracks, Washington, DC, apparently taken by a captain who claimed he had deserted from another regiment (8). He returned about 6 April 1862, apparently having been seen by Major George W Todd (8). He was not placed under arrest, and returned to duty immediately (8).
On 18 April 1862, he left Carrol Barracks, Washington, DC (8). He was then second sergeant of company B (8). At trial, he admitted that he left on a day pass, went to Washington, and got drunk (8). He claimed he remembered nothing more until he found himself in Philadelphia, arrested for being drunk and disorderly, and held in Moyamensing Prison (8). He contacted Lieutenant Gregory, who arranged for his return to the regiment (8). He was returned as a prisoner about 2 May 1862 (8).
On 16 May 1862, he was tried by court martial (5, 8). He was charged, by Captain Bowman, with desertion, on two occasions (28 March and 18 April 1862) (8). He pled not guilty to deserting on 28 March, but guilty to deserting on 18 April, and the Court confirmed his pleas (8). Sergeants William B Elder (B) and Adrian Beaugereau (B) testified at the trial (8). The Court sentenced him "to be put at hard labor for thirty days with a six foot chain and twelve pound ball attached to his leg, and to forfeit five dollars a month from his pay for six months", with the sentence read on parade (8).
He deserted on 14 September 1862 (1, 2). He was a private, in company B (8).
On 1 October 1866, he died, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6). He was a paper hanger, and was single (6). He died at, or was buried from, 1220 Green Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6). On 5 October 1866, he was buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (6).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (Elias Swire)
2 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 29 June 2004 (Elias Swire; rolls have Siire)
3 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1st ward of Philadelphia, microfilm series M653, film 1163, pages 660-661 = 240-241 handwritten (Elias Swire)
4 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Northern Liberties, ward 2, microfilm series M432, film 810, page 104 = 207 handwritten (Elias Swire)
5 National Archives Archival Research Catalog (accessed 24 July 2010) (Elias Swire)
6 death certificate abstract, Philadelphia death certificate, died 1 October 1866 (Elias Swire)
7 National Archives and Record Adminsitration, Record Group 153, court-martial transcription, 16 May 1862 (Elias Swire)
8 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Elias Swire)
Proceedings of a General Court Martial convened at Washington D.C. May 16th 1862 in pursuance of the following order--
Head Quarters Military District Washington D.C.1 - A General Court Martial is hereby appointed to meet at No 152 Pa Avenue Washington D.C. on Monday the 12th inst at 10 A M or as soon thereafter as practicable for the trial of such persons as may be properly brought before it.
| Detail for the Court | |||
| 1 | Lieut Col. | J. P. Brinten | 2 Pa Vol |
| 2 | Major | Henry A Reed | 99 Pa Vol. |
| 3 | " | Wm Northedge | 59 NY Vol. |
| 4 | Capt. | Brinten | 12 Pa " |
| 5 | " | Wilson | 2 |
| 6 | " | Fisher | 12 |
| 7 | 1st Lieut | DH Leche | 2 |
| Captain George F. Noyes ACS Judge Advocate | |||
No other officers than the above named can be assembled without manifest injury to the Service.
Officers detailed on the above Court who are unable to attend from sickness or other cause will report the fact immediately at these Head Quarters and to the Judge Advocate of the General Court Martial.
4 - Captain William Sinton is detailed as a member of the General Court Martial now in session by virtue of Special Orders No 71 from these Head Quarters in place of Capt. Brenten 12 Pa Vols mentioned in the order appointing the Court.
5 - Lieut Fisher 12th Pa Vols is hereby detailed as a member of the Genl. Court Martial now in session at No 152 Penna. Avenue Washington convened pursuant to Special Orders No 71 from these Head Quarters
6 - Col. Van Buren 102d N.Y.V. is hereby detailed as a member of the Genl. Court Martial now in session at No 152 Pa Avenue Washington convened pursuant to Special Orders No 71 from these Head Quarters
| 1 | Col | Van Buren | 102d N.Y. Vol. |
| 2 | Lt. Col. | Brinton | 2d Pa. Cav. |
| 3 | Capt. | Wilson | 2d Pa. Cav. |
| 4 | Capt. | Fisher | 12th Pa. Cav [?] |
| 5 | Capt. | Linton | 12th Pa Cav |
| 6 | 1st Lieut | Leche | 2d Pa Cav |
| Capt. George F. Noyes A.C.S. Judge Advocate | |||
And proceeded to the trial of Sergeant Elias Swire Co. B. 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, who having been called into Court and having heard read the order convening the Court was asked if he had any objection to any member named therein - to which he replied in the negative.
The Court was then duly sworn in the presence of the accused by the Judge Advocate and the Judge Advocate was duly sworn by the President. The accused was then arraigned and tried on the following charges and specifications.
Sergt. Elias Swire left Franklin Barracks Washington D.C. on 28th March. He was 2d Sergt. Co. B. 91st Regt. Pa. Vol. I can say nothing derogatory of his character.
Examined for defence. I believe he left on account of some Captain in Owen's Regt. Pa. Vol. coming and claiming him as a Deserter from another Regt
He got a pass on the 26th for one day, but didn't return and was marked "absent without leave". He returned on the 6th of April or about that time. I believe he came back voluntarily. He was not put under arrest until the 18th of April. He was placed on duty immediately after his return. On the charge of deserting and going to Philadelphia, he was not arrested at all.
On the 17th April he was absent on a day-pass, he didn't return to Camp, + was absent on 18th without leave. He was returned as a deserter on 3d of May.
I was misunderstood in my statement that he was put under arrest on the 18th April.
Sergt. Swire left the Regt. twice. the first time for a few days only the early part of April. The second time from the latter part of April he was away almost two weeks. I can say nothing derogatory of his character.
Examined for defence. I always knew the accused to attend to his duty well. the first time he came back voluntarily.
The Prosecution here closed. No witnesses were offered by the defence.
He stated substantially as follows:
On the 17th April I got a day-pass, went to Washington, got drunk + knew no more until I found myself in Philadelphia arrested by the police for being drunk + disorderly. I sent for Lt. Gregory of the Regt. + told him I was ready + willing to be sent on again. I was kept in Moyamensing Prison until Lieut. Gregory brought me back.
The Court was then cleared and after mature deliberation on the testimony adduced finds the accused Sergeant Elias Swire 91 Pa. Vol. as follows
On 1st Specification of Charge the Court confirms the plea of the accused and find him Not Guilty.
On 2d Specification of Charge the Court confirms the plea of the accused and find him Guilty.
On the Charge, the Court also finds the accused Guilty
And does therefore Sentence him to be put at hard labor for thirty days with a six foot chain and twelve pound ball attached to his leg, and to forfeit five dollars a month from his pay for six months. This sentence to be reason on parade.
Thos B [?] Van Buren Col 102 NY Presiding Officer| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Dwellings visited | 398 | ||||||
| Families visited | 508 | ||||||
| Name | Elias Swire | Mary " | Eliza " | Mary " | William " | Elias " | David " |
| Age | 40 | 36 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F | M | M | M |
| Color | |||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Stationer | ||||||
| Real estate owned | |||||||
| Birthplace | England | Wales | Penn | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 38 | 39 | 40 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwelling number | 1635 | 1635 | |||||||||
| Family number | 1717 | 1717 | |||||||||
| Name | Elias Swire | Mary A " | E M " | Mary A Swire | Wm H " | Elias " | D O " | John P " | Jane T [?] " | S Cogan | J Jeffries |
| Age | 50 | 47 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 33 | 20 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F | M | M | M | M | F | F [?] | M |
| Color | |||||||||||
| Occupation | Shoe Maker | Dress Maker | Clerk | Paper Hanger | Milliner | ||||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 350 | ||||||||||
| Place of birth | England | Wales | Penna | Penna | " | " | ": | " | " | Scotland | Penna |
| Married within year | |||||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |