Joseph Swift

Joseph Gardner Swift
COL Joseph Gardner Swift
Born	(1783-12-31)December 31, 1783 Nantucket, Massachusetts
Died	July 22, 1865(1865-07-22) (aged 81) Geneva, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1802–1818
Rank	Colonel Brevet Brigadier General
Commands held	Construction of Cape Fear River defenses Fort Johnson, North Carolina Superintendent of the United States Military Academy Eastern Department Defenses Chief Engineer of the US Army
Battles/wars	War of 1812 Battle of Crysler's Farm St. Lawrence Campaign

War of 1812

Joseph Gardner Swift (December 31, 1783 – July 22, 1865) was an American soldier who had the distinction of being the first graduate of the newly instituted United States Military Academy in West Point, New York; he would later serve as its fourth Superintendent, from 1812 to 1814, and Chief of Engineers of the United States Army from 1812 to 1818.

Swift was born on Nantucket Island, the son of Foster Swift and his wife, Deborah. At the age of six, he saw George Washington on Boston Common, an experience that made an indelible impression on him. In 1792, the Swifts moved to Taunton, Massachusetts, where Joseph became the student of Reverend Samuel Daggat, who prepared him to enter Harvard College. Swift had read accounts of the American Revolution in his father’s diary and heard stories from a family friend, Major General David Cobb. With Cobb’s advice and assistance, Swift was appointed by President John Adams on May 12, 1800 as a cadet of artillerists and engineers. He reported for duty a month later at Newport Harbor.

In the summer of 1801, Secretary of War Henry Dearborn notified the Army that President Thomas Jefferson had directed the establishment of a military academy at West Point, New York. Swift reported to the academy on October 14, 1801. On December 15, 1801, then-Major Jonathan Williams took command and several months later became the first Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy. The Academy was established by law on March 16, 1802. Swift progressed well and was considered by Williams to be the foremost cadet. After a thorough examination, Swift became the first graduate of the Academy on October 12, 1802. Simeon Magruder Levy was the only other graduate in 1802.