SWORDS, Robert Smith, author, born in New York city, 12 July, 1816; died in Newark, New Jersey, 15 January, 1881. He was graduated at Columbia in 1834, and after studying law for three years with Daniel Lord was admitted to the bar. Soon after this he formed a partnership with Sylvester Ward, which lasted ten years, when he retired from the practice of his profession, in the mean time serving during several years as judge-advocate for the city of New York. In 1849 he settled on Passaic river, opposite Belleville, New Jersey, and while living there was for twelve years a magistrate for Union township. Although an earnest Democrat and an opponent of the administration of President Lincoln, he placed his services at the disposal of the government, in August, 1862, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 13th New Jersey volunteers, and was with his regiment in the battles of Antietam and South Mountain, being wounded in the former engagement. He resigned in 1863 and removed to Newark, New Jersey, where he afterward resided. For many years he was secretary of the Board of trade of Newark, and he was corresponding secretary of the New Jersey state agricultural society, treasurer of the New Jersey society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and treasurer of the Board of proprietors of East New Jersey. In 1867 he became treasurer of the New Jersey historical society, to whose "Proceedings" he contributed a "Memoir of the Life and Character of John Rutherford" (1872) ; "' The Bones of Columbus" (1879) ; "The Cathedral Church of San Domingo" (1879); and other similar papers.