Armstrong County PA Archives Biographies.....SIRWELL, William, Col., 1820 - 

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    History of Armstrong County, Robert Walter Smith, Esq., 
         Chicago: Waterman, Watkins and Co. 1883.
 
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                                   COL. WILLIAM SIRWELL

  ...William Sirwell, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Graham) Sirwell, both natives
  of England, was born in the United States army, at the Allegheny arsenal, on
  August 10, 1820, his father, who had been principal musiciap, at that time
  being armorer at the arsenal.  Of a military turn of mind he entered the
  militia service in 1839, and commanded in succession the City Blues, of
  Pittsburgh, and the Washington Blues, Brady Alpines and Kittanning Yeagers, of
  Kittanning, to which place he removed in 1855.  He was also for ten years
  brigade inspector of Armstrong county.  In person he is six feet in height,
  broad shouldered and robust.  He was married on November 6, 1840, to Miss
  Elizabeth McCandless, of Butler county.  They have had eight children, viz.: 
  Lucinda Ann, Alexander Nelson (dead), Sarah C., Mary H., William Mitchell,
  Samuel (dead), Elizabeth M., and Emma J. (dead).

  In 1854 being in Iowa, he raised at Davenport the first military company in the
  state, and in 1855, while on his way home, he organized in Pittsburgh the first
  military company of colored men known to have been formed in the United
  States.  They were called the Hannibal Guards.

  On the breaking out of the rebellion Col. Sirwell with his company, the Brady
  Alpines above mentioned, were the first company in Western Pennsylvania to
  offer their services to the United States government, and were at once accepted
  and served through the three months compaign in the 9th regt. Pa. Vol. Inf.,
  under Gen. Patterson, in Virginia.  Upon the expiration of their term of
  service and return home, Capt. Sirwell at once proceeded to organize the 78th
  regt. Pa. Vol. Inf., was commissioned colonel of the same, and with his
  brigade, under the command of Gen. James S. Negley, ordered to the army then
  stationed in Kentucky.  In the affair at Lavergne, one of the actions for the
  defense of Nashville, the regiment particularly distinguished itself, and its
  commander was complimented by Gen. Negley and by Andrew Johnson, then military
  governor of Tennessee.  At Stone River the regiment captured the White Horse
  Artillery, of New Orleans, consisting of four twelve-pounder brass Napoleon
  guns, the regimental colors of the 26th Rebel Tennessee, and the guidon of the
  4th Florida.  As a reward of his service here, Col. Sirwell was made provost
  marshall of Murfreesboro, and was afterward placed in command of the 3rd
  brigade, 2nd division, of the 14th corps, department of the Cumberland.  In the
  terrible conflicts of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, and in the subsequent
  campaign of Atlanta, he rendered valuable services.  At New Hope Church so m
  arked was his gallantry that he was commended by Gen. Thomas.  When Atlanta
  finally was taken after a compaign of a hundred days in which the smoke of
  battle scarcely cleared away, it became difficult to keep open the base of
  supplies, stretching away to Chattanooga.  Col. Sirwell was assigned to this
  duty and preserved unbroken the line of transportation, supplies being rapidly
  brought up.  After his term of service expired, at the solicitation of the
  commander of the department, Col. Sirwell remained in the field, his regiment
  as mounted infantry being employed in attacking and pursuing Forrest's cavalry
  through Middle and Southern Tennessee.

  Col. Sirwell was a gallant but prudent officer.  He was much admired by his
  brother officers and the men of his command.  He was made the recipient of two
  swords, both handsome and valuable ones, but prized by him more dearly for
  their associations than aught else.

  At one time Col. Sirwell saw fit to resign his command (which, however, he
  almost immediately resumed), and the officers of the 78th regt. at that time,
  November 20, 1863, presented him with the following resolutions:
  Whereas, Col. William Sirwell has felt it his duty to resign his commission as
  colonel of this regiment, we, the commissioned officers, do resolve,
  1.  That we sustain Col. Sirwell in the cause that induced him to take this
  step which sunders the reciprocal ties which for over two years have held him
  and his military family together.  Declining health induced by hard service in
  the field entitle Òthe old soldierÓ to an honorable retirement.
  2.  That the history of this regiment from its organization to this time, its
  superior discipline, its undaunted courage on the field of battle, and its
  complete appointment in every department are the handiwork of Col. Sirwell, and
  stamp him as a military commander of the first order.
  3.  That the name and services of Col. Sirwell will ever be associated in our
  minds with recollections of Lamb's Ferry, White Creek, Neely's Bend,
  Goodletsville, Lavergne, Brentwood and Stone River, Dug  Gap, Chickamauga.
  4.  That the kindness of disposition and the frankness of Col. Sirwell have
  endeared him both to officers and men, and in parting with him they feel that
  they are losing a father, who watched over them with fond care.
  5.  That we each and all resolve here tonight in taking the parting hand of
  Col. Sirwell that we will do our utmost to bring this regiment home to him with
  its colors flying and its bright escutcheon untarnished.
  6.  To William Sirwell, late colonel of this regiment, the strict
  disciplinarian, the accomplished soldier, the high-toned gentleman, the kind
  and genial companion - you have toiled with us, you have endured all the
  sufferings and enjoyed many of the glories of the soldier's life - to you we
  say farewell, and God bless you.
  7.  Resolved, that copies of these resolutions be forwarded to Col. Sirwell and
  to the papers in Kittanning (except the Mentor), Indiana, Clarion, Butler,
  Lawrence and Pittsburgh.
                         (Signed by the commissioned officers of the 78th Regiment).

  Having performed his duties faithfully to the government during the time of
  war, Col. Sirwell has since resided in Kittanning, and has held the offices of
  postmaster and justice of the peace.  He has spent much time in collecting
  curiosities and relics, especially those which pertain to Armstrong county and
  has perhaps the most valuable private cabinet in Western Pennsylvania.