This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
William Independence Rasin was born on July 4, 1841 in Kent County, Maryland, living there until 1848, when he and his brother were sent to St. Louis to live with their uncle following the death of their father. The young Rasin attended school in St. Louis and then began his career in Leavenworth, Kansas 10 years later in 1858. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Rasin enlisted as a Private in the Confederacy, serving in Price’s Missouri Army, and participated in the First Battle of Lexington also known as the Battle of the Hemp Bales. Although facing backlash from old friends he made in the north, his advancement through the ranks was swift, as an October 1861 letter written by Rasin states “I hope John you will not let the simple fact of my being a rebel turn the friendship you once had for me to hatred as it has done nearly all of those in the North who were once my friends…If you should be so foolish as to join Lincoln’s army never come to Virginia or Maryland. (signed) William I. Rasin, Major, Second Maryland Regiment, C.S. Army”. Rasin returned to his Kent County birthplace where he found the state shackled under Union control. He was arrested in February 1862 at Stoneton and imprisoned at the Old Capital Prison in Washington, DC, with the charge of espionage. Later sentenced to Fort Warren for the duration of the war, he escaped captivity on the night of April 23, 1862 with the help of fellow imprisoned Marylanders. He managed to cross the Potomac River in a fishing schooner while disguised, but was pursued by Union soldiers in King George County. He made it to the Rappahannock in haste where he was able to bribe a ferryman to aid in his crossing which lead to his freedom. After his ordeal, Rasin proceeded to Richmond Virginia where he rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia, and by December 1862, he was in Salisbury, North Carolina procuring horses necessary to outfit a cavalry company. On January 20, 1863, Rasin was elected as captain in Rasin’s Cavalry Company as part of the Winder Cavalry, which later became known as Company E, 1st Maryland Cavalry for the duration of the war. During 1863, Rasin and his company were participants in several battles and skirmishes, including the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia on June 9, 1863. Also known as the Battle of Fleetwood Hill, the clash was the largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the Civil War, as well as the largest ever to take place on American soil. During the action at Brandy Station, Rasin received a serious head wound which caused his capture and subsequent recapture by Southern forces 3 days later. His obituary states “At Winchester, June 13, 1863, while he was leading his men against the Federals, he was shot from his horse by troops in ambush and left for dead on the field.” The severe wound would cause him distress for the rest of the war. From September 9, 1863-October 13, 1863, he was in a Chancellorsville, Virginia hospital suffering from complications and illness. For the rest of 1863, he spent his time in the Virginia Theater, participating in actions throughout Winchester, Fredericksburg, Orange, Culpeper, and Hanover. His health continued to plague him throughout 1864 and he spent several months of the year in various hospitals before participating action around the Battle of Peebles's Farm. After the battle he was admitted to another hospital for “V.S. left side of the head” and his obituary states that he was released in time as he “led the final cavalry charge at Appomattox Court House.” Rasin’s cavalry company did not surrender at Appomattox, but they were disbanded on April 28, 1865 and paroled as individuals. Following the war, Rasin established a successful business in Baltimore, Maryland and later served as a deputy collector of internal revenue of the city. He later moved to Newport News, Virginia, and worked for an English steamship company until his death on June 18, 1916. He must have been well-known in his home state as one obituary states “…Captain William I. Rasin, one of the best known Confederate veterans of Maryland”. Though unpresented, this Boyle & Gamble foot officer’s sword was obtained from the William I. Rasin’s estate and settled in the Hartzler collection. The sword is rather crude, and is the unetched version of the Boyle & Gamble swords. The single edged blade is slightly curved and features a single, stopped fuller which measures approximately 14”. Very long ricasso that measures approximately 5 - 1/4” which is typical of Boyle & Gamble blades. In order to expedite their time, the bladesmiths crafted the tang from iron, with blades cast from steel bars. This example features the craftmanship of Boyle & Gamble with typical iron tang. The guard is crudely cast, and features a counterguard with open floral decorations, and stretchmarks from being bent during assembly on the underside where it joins the knucklebow. Flat sided quillon. Equally crude pommel ornamented with laurel leaves which surround a crude flower and lead up to the tiered cap. Grip is of wood, wrapped with thin leather and grooved in order to accommodate a single strand of brass wire. There is a slot in the knucklebow to accommodate a portepee, but a thick leather sword knot compliments the hilt. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a heavy gray patina with obvious forging flaws that are commonly encountered on rebel blades. Notable edge wear. The hilt exhibits a pleasing patina which radiates as a dark gold hue and scattered casting flaws with blemishes from handling and age. Areas of leather loss to the grip with tight wire. Leather knot exhibits cracking and creasing in areas. This sword, as well as William Rasin’s history is recorded on pgs. 360-363 of “Confederate Presentation & Inscribed Swords & Revolvers” as well as pg. 182 of “A Band of Brothers”. Included is are copies of excerpts from the books, a folder of research, and a copy of a photo of Rasin in uniform.
Paperwork
Folder with Research