author
S. A. (Samuel A.) Swiggett
1834–1904
A Union Army captain turned memoirist, he wrote a vivid firsthand account of capture, imprisonment, and survival during the Civil War. His best-known book stands out for its steady, humane tone even in harsh conditions.
1 Audiobook
The bright side of prison life : experiences, in prison and out, of an involuntary sojourner in rebeldom
by S. A. (Samuel A.) Swiggett
About the author
Born in 1834, S. A. Swiggett is remembered for The Bright Side of Prison Life, a memoir drawn from his experience as a Union officer during the American Civil War. Library and ebook records identify him as Samuel A. Swiggett and credit him with this work, first published in the late 19th century.
His book recounts prison life in the Confederacy from a personal point of view, blending hardship, observation, and moments of resilience. Modern editions and catalog records continue to present it as his signature work, which has helped keep his name alive for readers interested in Civil War memoirs.
The 1834–1904 dates supplied for him fit the way he is listed in book and catalog sources, but detailed biographical information appears to be scarce in the readily available records I could confirm. Because of that, it is safest to describe him chiefly through the surviving memoir that bears his name.