November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
John Carroll was a Baltimore resident, and not yet 18, when he crossed the Potomac with 3 companions and enlisted at Richmond in Utterback’s company of Virginia Light Artillery on September 5, 1862 by his own account, though records say it was August 31. Variously known as the Warrenton Light Artillery, Brook’s Battery, etc., the unit saw action at Fredericksburg and at Gettysburg, where Carroll said he was present, suffering the loss of 5 men out of 58 as part of Poague’s artillery battalion in Hill’s corps. By then Carroll had already had enough of artillery service in a Virginia command, having applied to Harry Gilmore for transfer to his Maryland cavalry in May, and finally moved into Captain Schwartz’s Company F of the 1st Maryland Cavalry on July 24. He was later charged with desertion from the artillery, but cleared in April 1864 and continued to serve with the Maryland cavalry. He testified that he had been in Maryland on 2 raids, the last of which was Early’s raid on Baltimore and Washington in July 1864, followed by his move into the Shenandoah where Sheridan was tasked with driving him out. The (Third) Battle of Winchester (also “Opequon”) was fought September 19, 1864 and was the most important battle of the campaign, and a Confederate defeat, though not without active fighting by all branches of service and high casualties. Carroll was mistaken in his memory of the Union officer’s unit, as there was no 5th Rhode Island Battery and the 5th Rhode Island Infantry was not there. There were, however, other Rhode Island units there and several units from other northern states designated as “Fifth.” Some cross referencing of locations on the battlefield and official reports might narrow down or reveal the Union officer, since the “Lt. Thortin Charles” in which Hartzler’s collection notes states surrendered this sword, does not show up in records. Given the date of the sword, he might well have seen pre-war army service. Carroll’s own Confederate service did not last much longer. He claimed to have been homesick and looking for an opportunity to return home. After a 2-week bout of sickness, he crossed back into Maryland near Edwards Ferry on Christmas Day 1864 and turned himself into the U.S. Provost Marshal. He must have appeared a sympathetic character and his mother, alerted to his plan, may have had some effect: he was eventually released on oath with the condition that he leave and stay north of Philadelphia. His trophy sword presumably remained concealed at home. The presentation is located on the upper mount and reads “Captured at / Battle of Winchester / from 1st Lieutenant / 5th Rhode Island Battery / by John C. Carroll / 1st Maryland Cav. C.S.A.”. The blade decorations are as tasteful as the presentation and feature foliate and patriotic motifs. They begin just above the ricasso, with a stand of arms, intertwined with foliate scrolls that lead to a panoply of arms and a spread winged federal eagle with a banner marked with the de facto national motto terminating with foliate scrolls which morph into budding flowers. The reverse blade features similar motifs, with the eagle replaced by the large letters “U.S.” and another panoply of arms. The ricasso is marked on both sides with the obverse featuring inspector marks “US / A.D.K. / 1850” and the reverse etched “Ames Mfg. Co / Chicopee / Mass” The guard is equally ornate, gilded, and features pierced open foliate and floral scrolls, terminating with a leafy quillon. The grip is of wood, neatly grooved to accommodate twisted brass wire, and wrapped in high quality sharkskin. Pommel is decorated with laurel leaves leading to a tiered cap that is marked "J.W.R. / A.D.K.". Complete with the black leather scabbard which features beautiful gilded mounts. Upper and middle mounts each feature the typical band with carry ring. Upper mount is marked “AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS”. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a pleasing gray patina with areas of freckling. The decorations are only slightly muted and remain crisp. Hit exhibits a generous amount of its original guiding. Twisted wire remains wrapped to the grip with nice sharkskin that exhibits handling wear. The scabbard remains in 1 piece with 1 significant flex between the upper and middle mount. The scabbard was once broken toward the drag, which is evidenced by traces of a glued repair. Scattered area of creasing, cracks, scuffs, and other blemishes typical of leather scabbards. Mounts remain secured to the scabbard body and exhibit a nice amount of original gilding. This is a very nice early example of an Ames M1850 foot officer’s sword with an interesting presentation. The sword is featured on pgs. 150-151 in “Confederate Presentation and Inscribed Swords and Revolvers” as well as pg. 155 in “Inscribed Union Swords 1861-1865”, and pg. 181 in “Band of Brothers”. Interestingly, the scabbard was mistakenly photographed with The Lt. Abbot Clauberg sword from the Hartzler Collection (lot 22310257) in “Confederate Presentation and Inscribed Swords and Revolvers” and “Band of Brothers”. In “Inscribed Union Swords 1861-1865” the scabbard is photographed with the correct sword.
Paperwork
Folder with Research