William J. Sewell
| William Joyce Sewell | |
|---|---|
|
Medal of Honor recipient
|
|
| Born |
December 6, 1835 Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Died | December 27, 1901 (aged 66) Camden, New Jersey |
| Place of burial | Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, New Jersey |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 – 1865 |
| Rank |
 Colonel Brevet Major General
|
| Commands held | 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars |
American Civil War *Battle of Chancellorsville *Battle of Gettysburg |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | U.S. Senator from New Jersey |
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William Joyce Sewell (December 6, 1835 – December 27, 1901) was an Irish-American politician, merchant, and military officer who served as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Sewell was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. He immigrated 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 served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chancellorsville. He was also a postbellum state senator and U.S. Senator. The community of Sewell, New Jersey is named for him.
He was married with four children, two daughters and two sons. He immigrated from Ireland when he was a young boy.
Sewell began his Civil War service as a Captain with the 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on August 28, 1861. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on July 7, 1862 and colonel on January 6, 1863. Sewell commanded a brigade at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, where he was wounded. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1896 for his actions. Sewell was the only officer to be awarded the Medal of Honor while in command of a New Jersey regiment.
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