On 30 July 1864, during a Union charge at the Siege of Petersburg, he singlehandedly captured four retreating Confederate infantrymen, an action which earned him the Medal of Honor.
[3][4] Swift's account of the action states:[4] Of course it was hot work, but was in no way a surprise, because our entire line had been waiting long for just such an experience.
We reached the objective point in short order, to see the enemy going pell-mell toward their second line of defense, a considerable distance away on the Jerusalem plank road.
Placing the muzzle of my revolver against the temple of one of the ‘Johnnies’ while still running, I ordered the four to surrender, which they did instantly, fancying, I suppose, that I had my whole company at my back.
Then I formed them on either side and in front of me—as a protection against possible shots from their more speedy companions — and so marched them back to our line.He was promoted to first lieutenant on 20 October 1864 and to captain on 5 January 1865.