This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Born in Maryland on January 29, 1841 to a father who was a general physician, later the Marshal for the state of Maryland, and a mother who was previously married to a ship’s captain. Forrest gained an interest in ships and the sea at a young age and was destined for a promising naval career. He was appointed as an acting US Navy midshipman on September 22, 1858, and was immediately ordered to the US Naval Academy. Following his graduation, and with the outbreak of the Civil War, Forrest was assigned to the USS Keokuk as the vessel’s executive officer. The USS Keokuk was an experimental ironclad screw steamer named for the city of Keokuk, Iowa and was a revolutionary warship for its time, as she was one of the first warships to be almost completely constructed of iron, with the exception of the wood deck and filler for the armor cladding. The vessel was outfitted with 2 stationary, conical gun towers, each pierced with 3-gun ports, housed 1 11" Dahlgren shell gun, with the tower often causing the Keokuk to be mistaken for a double turreted monitor. The ship was commissioned in March 1863, and departed New York on March 11 of that year, steaming south in order to join the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron for the attack on Charleston, South Carolina. On March 17 her port propeller became fouled in a buoy anchor line, an incident which was recorded by Forrest in a letter written that day, as a report to Keokuk’s captain. The ironclad rejoined Union Naval forces on March 26, and aided the USS Bibb in laying buoys to help guide Rear Admiral Samuel Du Pont’s ironclad flotilla. At around noon on April 7, 1863, the First Battle of Charleston Harbor commenced with difficulties in clearing torpedoes from the path of Du Pont's ironclads. Progress slowed due to the torpedoes, as well as a strong flood tide making the ironclads virtually unmanageable. Southern obstructions also did not help, and shortly after 3 p.m., the flotilla came within range of Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter and the firefight began. Due to the tide and obstructions, the Union formation scrambled while accurate fire from the forts relentlessly preyed upon them. At one point, the Keokuk was about 600 yards from Fort Sumter, and received undivided attention from the fort’s guns. It was estimated that Keokuk was struck by approximately 90 projectiles, many of which hit at or below her waterline, causing immense flooding. Her thin composite armor was completely inadequate to protect her from the onslaught and she was completely riddled with holes. Despite the damage and intense circumstances, Keokuk was able to withdraw under her own power and anchor out of range. The crew was able to keep her afloat through the night, but a breeze that picked up on the morning of April 8, she began to take on more water. The brand-new vessel filled rapidly, and sank off Morris Island after only a month of commissioned service. After the destruction of the Keokuk, Forrest was assigned to the USS Lehigh and is listed there as of June 1863, serving on that ironclad until 1864. The USS Lehigh was also a battle-hardened ironclad which accumulated an impressive record. In August 1863, the Lehigh headed south and joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Charleston, South Carolina and took part in the attacks on Fort Sumter of September 1-2, being struck several times. She also engaged Sullivan's Island on September 7, Fort Moultrie September 8, where she suffered 29 hits, covered a landing party attacking Fort Sumter on September 9. Lehigh then engaged Fort Sumter almost daily for nearly a month from October 27-November 20, running aground November 16 off Sullivan's Island under heavy enemy fire. Forrest was writing from the USS General Burnside by this point, which was the flagship of the upper Tennessee River Fleet, Mississippi Squadron, as Forrest was ordered to assume command of the 11th District Mississippi Squadron. Due to his new role, Forrest was later placed in command of the USS General Thomas, which served as a patrol vessel on the Tennessee River. The gunboat played a crucial role in repulsing Confederate forces by engaging strong batteries from General Hood's army. After passing the batteries downstream and sustaining several hits, General Thomas rounded to and poured such a withering crossfire into the emplacements that the Confederates were forced to withdraw. The General Thomas continued to harass Confederate operations and was turned over to the War Department on June 3, 1865. After this, Forrest was assigned to the USS Savannah which was in use as an instruction and practice ship at the United States Naval Academy. He was posted to the North Atlantic Squadron in February 1866 and was promoted to lieutenant commander on July 25. He was assigned to the USS Florida for her final voyage sailing to the West Indies from January 4, 1866 to April 8, 1867. In a letter dated June 30, 1866, Forrest wrote “My health is excellent & I don’t drink at all [and] smoke very little. Love to all at home when you write.”. Unfortunately, Forrest would never make it home, as he died at sea of yellow fever on November 24, 1866. He was buried at sea east of Santa Cruz the same day. Forrest’s sword is striking and is worthy of an officer with his repute. The presentation is located on the upper mount and reads “Lieut. Moreau Forrest / U.S.N.” Once unsheathed, the blade reveals its wonderfully etched decorations. The blade is decorated for 75% of its length and features foliate scrolls which lead to the letters “U.S.N.”, followed by more scrollwork that leads to a panoply of arms, terminating at the ricasso. The reverse blade features similar designs, with the letters “U.S.N.” replaced by a banner with the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, and an elegant scene of a steamship just above the ricasso, which is marked “H / Sauerbier / Newark / N.J.”. The hilt is cast brass, and features a guard, cast and chased with lush oak leaves and acorns, which support the letters “USN”. The guard then terminates with a serpent quillon. D-shaped knucklebow which is scaled leading up to the pommel which is decorated with an eagle in a 13-star vignette. Grip is solid brass, cast with grooves in order to accommodate cast twisted wire. The sword is complete with its scabbard which is neatly browned and features scalloped brass mounts. Upper and middle mount feature fouled bands each supporting a carry ring. Each carry ring features a brass clasp with portions of leather which were part of a belt. Nice serpent drag which accommodates the serpent quillon. Mounts are nicely etched with rococo designs on the obverse side. CONDITION: The blade remains bright but exhibits scattered areas of freckling and surface rust. Hilt exhibits some of the original gilding. Scabbard retains most of its finish with scattered areas of freckling and surface rust. Mounts exhibit scattered spotting from age and handling. Small dent in drag. The sword is accompanied by a folder of research regarding Forrest's service, and his legacy, along with many letters he wrote are preserved on a WordPress site that bears his name. This is an excellent presentation grade Model 1852 Naval officer’s sword named to an exemplary officer with an impressive service record.
Paperwork
Folder with Research