December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2021
Excellent example of an identified Civil War presentation grade sword that is attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Lathrop Baldwin. The saga of Baldwin's military service begins on July 24, 1862 when the then 32 year old newspaper editor enrolled for three years service at Elmira, New York. Baldwin was mustered in as a Captain in Company B, 107th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Throughout his service, Baldwin would be promoted several times, as he was commissioned as a Major on October 15, 1863 and mustered in as such on November 1, 1863 and later commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel on July 9, 1864 and mustered in as such on July 20, 1864, which would be a fateful day for the young officer. Baldwin and the men of the 107th New York Volunteer Infantry would see heavy combat throughout the war. The regiment was hard fought and began its service when it was officially organized on August 13, 1862. The 107th started its campaign by arriving in Washington on August 15, 1862, and marched through the city into Virginia where they camped and trained in several forts that guarded Washington DC. While being attached to the 12th Army Corps, the regiment began its long hard march north to Antietam on September 6, 1862. The regiment saw its first action at Antietam, losing 63 men on what would be known as the bloodiest day of the war. Following a long winter of guarding against Confederate incursions along the Potomac River, the 107th participated in the battle of Chancellorsville where the regiment lost 83 men. Not long after Chancellorsville, they marched up to Pennsylvania where Baldwin and the men of the 107th would come face to face with Robert E. Lee and his army of rebels at Gettysburg. The 107th was involved in repulsing the Confederate charge against Culp’s Hill and only suffered light casualties. After the Union victory at Gettysburg, the regiment was reassigned and sent to Tennessee for more picket duty, this time guarding railroads during the winter of 1863-64. Early in 1864, the 12th Army Corps was consolidated with the 11th Army Corps and established the 20th Army Crops under the command of William Tecumseh Sherman in order to form a 100,000 man strong army. The 107th Regiment was only a small portion of this grand army, but Baldwin commanded his men and fought hard in the many skirmishes and battles on their way to Atlanta. It would be during this campaign that Baldwin would sacrifice everything in the service of his country. On July 20, 1864, the day Baldwin’s commission as Lieutenant Colonel was being signed, the regiment was among the Union forces who crossed Peachtree Creek and were able to erect a line of field works before being attacked. The 107th came under intense fire and was struggling to retain their position. During the relentless volley fire, Baldwin continuously rallied and organized his men in order to maintain uniformity in the ranks and hold the fluctuating Union line. Captain H.G. Brigham recalled that Baldwin was in charge of a skirmish line that had been driven back, but Baldwin remained, “firing at the enemy, and in this position was pierced through the eye with a bullet.” He died of the wound ten days later at Chattanooga. Baldwin displayed the exemplary actions of a model officer. He lead his men into battle, exhibited calmness and organization under heavy fire, and continued to fight until he was struck down among the ranks his loyal soldiers who followed him through the war. Baldwin's sacrifice was not in vain, as the Union would see Victory in Georgia with the complete destruction of Hood's army. His actions would not go unnoticed. After the war, Baldwin was buried at Elmira, where a G.A.R. post was later named in his honor, a true testament to devoted leader. Baldwin's legacy is preserved through his presentation grade staff and field officer's sword. The lightly curved blade features bold and elegant decorative etchings on both sides. The obverse features a spread winged federal eagle, graceful scrollwork, patriotic bunting, and other beautifully etched designs. The reverse mirrors the obverse, with the letters "U.S." replacing the eagle. The designs are halted at the ricasso, the obverse being marked “Schuler Hartley / Graham / New York” while the reverse is marked “Clauberg / Solingen”. The style continues with the half-basket hilt which is of cast brass and adorned with open scrollwork, a large eagle in flight carrying a long banner on the counterguard that reads "E Pluribus Unum" and the letters “US” which are superimposed on the knucklebow. The grip features a grooved, center-swelled wooden handle wrapped in high quality sharkskin. The skin is tightly bound to the grip with braided brass wire that fits neatly in the grooves of the handle. The grip also features an ornate backstrap that leads to a domed pommel. The scabbard is constructed of German silver with two ring mounts and is complete with an iron drag. CONDITION: The blade remains bright with nearly unmolested decorations. There are slight blemishes especially towards the ricasso which has started to accumulate a dark patina. The blade exhibits slight chips in the edges. The guard has aged nicely and some of the brass wire is loose around the grip. There are cracks in the sharkskin. The scabbard exhibits the most wear, as there are several significant dents that travel up the length of the scabbard. Otherwise, the scabbard remains bright with scattered blemishes. PROVENANCE: This sword was once sold at James D. Julia along with an archive of items from Lieutenant Colonel Lathrop Baldwin and his brother Major Elisha G. Baldwin. This is wonderful example of a presentation grade sword that is attributed to an officer who gave his life for the preservation of his country. JLD