Theodore Schwan
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Theodore Schwan (1841 – May 27, 1926) was a United States Army officer of German birth who served with distinction during the American Civil War, Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War.
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[edit] Early life and Civil War
Schwan was born in Hanover, Germany, and received his initial schooling in Germany. His family immigrated to the United States in 1857. Upon his arrival in the U.S., Schwan enlisted as a private in the Regular Army at age 16 and served in the 10th U.S. Infantry.
Shortly after the Civil War broke out, he served with his regiment rising from private to Quartermaster-Sergeant by 1863. He was made a First Lieutenant in 1864 and won the Medal of Honor at the Battle of Peebles' Farm when he dragged a fellow Union officer to the rear preventing him from being captured. He remained in the regular army after the close of the Civil War and made a lieutenant colonel in the 11th U.S. Infantry in February 1897.
[edit] Spanish-American War
When the Spanish-American War erupted, Lt. Col. Schwan was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and colonel in the Regular Army in May 1898, making him one of the only foreign-born generals in the Spanish-American War. He assumed command of the 1st Division, IV Corps which was stationed in Miami, Florida. That unit was never called into action, but he assumed command of the Independent Regular Brigade and sailed for Puerto Rico. His brigade landed at Guánica and moved west along the coast. On August 10, his brigade won the Battle of Silva Heights. The next day, he entered the town of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The Spanish moved up for another attack on Schwan, but a cease fire was enacted before either side attacked. Allegedly during this cease fire, Schwan's troops engaged in the first game of baseball to be played in Puerto Rico.
[edit] Philippine-American War
With the fighting on Puerto Rico over, General Schwan was transferred to the Philippines, where he became chief-of-staff in the VIII Corps, engaged in the Philippine-American War. He personally directed the first Cavite Expedition then took command of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, VIII Corps during the second Cavite Expedition.
[edit] Retirement and death
He retired from the army in 1901 and was made a Major General of Regulars and put on the retired list. Theodore Schwan died in 1926 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
