Civil War figure, Senator, Mayor. He was born on February 23, 1832 in Columbia, Pennsylvania. He worked as a boatman and became one of the first African-Americans to break through the barrier of race. In 1862, Congress passed two acts that allowed the enlistment of Blacks in the armed services. On July 17, it passed the Second Confiscation and Militia Act, freeing captives from the Confederate Army. Official enrollment took place after the September 1862 issuance of the (so-called) Emancipation Proclamation (it only officially allowed Blacks to fight). More than 216,000 uniformed African-American men joined the ranks to fight for freedom. Three hundred thousand non-uniformed men fought as well. Most units mustered in with state designations until 1864 when the War Department changed the names to the United States Colored Troops (USCT) for degrading and segregation purposes. Swails entered the service at Elmira, New York. He was a member of Company F of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Union Army attaining the rank of sergeant in 1862. Qualified Black soldiers were not allowed to obtain any rank above sergeant. On February 20, 1864, Swails was wounded at Olustee, Florida. After the battle at Olustee, Colonel Hallowell cited Sergeant Swails for coolness, bravery, and efficiency during the action despite a severe wound. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on March 11, 1864 by Governor John Andrew. Swails was not accorded his proper rank for ten months, although during this period he served as an officer. Finally Swails became the first Black man to break through the barrier of race hatred as a commissioned officer in the 54th. Swails was again wounded and was commissioned a first lieutenant on April 18, 1865. He was discharged from active duty on August 20, 1865, the end of his term of service. After the Civil War Swails became active in politics in South Carolina. He was elected Republican state senator in 1867 and attended the National Republican Convention in 1872. Swails edited a Republican newspaper in Kingstree, South Carolina. In 1873, Swails was appointed and commissioned as major general, commanding the First Division National Guard of the State of South Carolina. Swails's army life typified that all Blacks in the United States Armed Services always have had two wars to fight. One is continuous fighting against the enemy and the other continuous fighting against the hatred within your own lines.