On September 20, 1864 a detachment of the 2nd New York Cavalry, dismounted, approached a Confederate camp on an island in the middle of Alabama Bayou, near New Orleans. Sgt. Cadwell and another soldier swam across the 150 foot waterway to bring a small boat to their command. The boat allowed the unit to cross and capture the rebel camp, destroying its supplies and buildings, including an artillery piece.

The commanding officer’s report stated:

A flat-boat lay at the opposite bank directly under the piece of artillery. Posted sharpshooters behind trees, stumps, &c., to keep the artillery silent and cover a crossing. Brought up my men, while Lieut. Albert Westinghouse, Company B, and Sergeant Caldwell, Company B, both of my regiment, swam the bayou and brought across the flat-boat, by which I was able to cross thirty men at a time.

Col. ASAP L. Gurney, 2nd New York Cavalry .
September 22, 1864.

Cadwell was reportedly wounded twice in the war.