November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough was born in Washington, D.C., on February 18, 1805, to a Navy family, the son of a chief clerk at the United States Department of the Navy. At the young age of 7, Goldsborough was appointed midshipman in the United States Navy on June 28, 1812, but due to his young age, he did not actually begin serving until February 13, 1816, when he reported for duty at the Washington Navy Yard at age 11. He married in 1831, and got his feet wet during the Aegean Anti-Piracy Campaign, when he led a 4-boat night expedition from Porpoise in October 1827 to rescue British merchant brig Comet from Mediterranean pirates. In 1830 he was appointed first officer in charge of the newly created Depot of Charts and Instruments at Washington, the crude beginning of the United States Hydrographic Office and was relieved after 2 years. In 1833 he took leave from the Navy to command a steamboat expedition, and later mounted volunteers in the Seminole War. After cruising the Pacific in the frigate United States, he participated in the bombardment of Veracruz aboard the USS Ohio during the Mexican–American War. He also led an attack on Tuxpan and after exploring California and Oregon he was promoted to Captain. His later pre-Civil War service included assignments of commander of a detachment in the expedition against Tuxpan, senior officer of a commission which explored California and Oregon from 1849–1850, superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1853–1857, and commander of the Brazil Squadron from 1859–1861. During the Civil War, Goldsborough assigned to command the Atlantic Blockading Squadron in September 1861. In October of that year the Atlantic squadron was split into the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in which Goldsborough took command of the North squadron. On January 3, 1862, he was promoted to the newly created rank of Flag Officer. During his command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, he led his fleet off North Carolina, where in cooperation with troops under General Ambrose Burnside, he captured Roanoke Island and destroyed a small Confederate fleet. After aiding the capture of Roanoke Island, Goldsborough and his command were sent to Hampton Roads at the request of Major General George McClellan in order to help protect Union forces landing on the Virginia Peninsula at the start of the Peninsula Campaign. Goldsborough refused to be placed under McClellan's direct command, insisting that he would instead cooperate with the Major General. After sending 6 of his vessels to attack the Gloucester Point batteries, Goldsborough withdrew them, claiming the areas was too dangerous despite suffering any damage, as he was fearful that there would be a return appearance by CSS Virginia, which had laid waste to a Union naval force in Hampton Roads while Goldsborough was at Roanoke Island. At the start of the Seven Days Battles, Goldsborough was asked again, this time by President Abraham Lincoln, to come to McClellan's aid. The stubborn Old Guts continued to hold back his fleet, forcing Lincoln to accept a recommendation by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to detach ships under Goldsborough's command and place them under Commodore Charles Wilkes, who as a lieutenant had relieved Goldsborough at the Depot of Charts and Instruments. This move, coupled with newspaper accounts critical of the Navy, so seriously hurt Goldsborough that he requested to be relieved. Despite the controversy, he was promoted to rear admiral in August 1862, and in September passed command of the squadron, finishing the war performing administrative duties in Washington, D.C. In June 1865, Goldsborough became the first commander of the European Squadron, formerly the Mediterranean Squadron, later returning to Washington in 1868, where he took command of the Washington Navy Yard, a position he held until he retired in 1873 as a Rear Admiral. Goldsborough passed away in Washington, D.C. on February 20, 1877. The group includes Goldsborough’s Eagle Pommel sword which is inscribed “L.M. Goldsborough’ in script on the scabbard at the throat. The sword is quite attractive and was most likely presented to Goldsborough toward the beginning of his naval career. The blade features a single fuller which is stopped at the ricasso and at spearpoint. The fuller is decorated for over half its length with a fire blued panel that is ornamented with engraved and gold washed designs. The designs are foliate and patriotic in nature and feature 3 small foliate scroll engravings which flank a panoply of arms. The obverse ricasso is marked with the maker initials “S.H.F.” for Simon Helvig & Son. The hilt is of cast brass and nicely chased with foliate and naval motifs. The shell guard bends downward and is a canvas for naval themed decoration with a seated woman holding a caduceus, with an anchor, ship, and federal eagle. The guard is also silver washed on the interior. Small counterguard bent in the opposite direction. A decorated brass ferrule and backstrap secures the fluted bone grip scales. Flat shell quillon. Nice P-shaped knucklebow is adorned with floral motifs and connects to the eagle head under the open beak. Very nice plumage with pronounced forehead. A blue and gold officer’s sword knot which is constructed of a wood core and bullion fringe, is tied around the knucklebow. The scabbard is of brass and features nice rococo designs with a pronounced drag, 2 carry rings, and rococo decorated stud. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a pleasant gray patina with nice fire blued panels that exhibit some loss. The decorations retain most of their gold wash. Hilt exhibits a nice patina with blemishes from handling and age. 1 significant crack in the bone grip. Sword knot is frayed in some areas. Hilt is loose and produces a wobble when handled. The scabbard is slightly bent with a few scattered dents and has lost a good amount of its finish. The group also includes a Treasury Department document, and 2 clipped signatures of Goldsborough, as well as a cabinet card of him in uniform. The document, as well as 1 clipped signature exhibits evidence of fire damage. There is also a cabinet card which was taken by J.E. Tilton & Co., who is listed as a black photographer. The cabinet card is laminated and exhibits blemishes typical of old paper. A copy of the “Statistical History of the Navy of the United States from the Commencement 1775 to 1853" is also included, and is signed by Goldsborough. The book was most likely from his personal library. The book appears to be complete with all of its pages and exhibits scuffs and stains on the cover, with tight binding, and blemishes that are typical of old texts. This is a very nice grouping of a sword and signatures from a notable Civil War Admiral. The group is accompanied by a folder of research regarding Goldsborough’s service.
Paperwork
Book, Letter, Photo, Folder of Information