November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
A unique and once in a lifetime chance to own a sword that was presented to 1 of only 8 civilians to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Born on April 15, 1829, in Bedford County, Tennessee, Ferrell was living in Illinois when he was hired as a civilian employee of the United States Navy. Due to his familiarity with the local waterways, Ferrell was hired as a pilot serving as one of the many members of the Brown Water Navy. He was appointed as pilot of the USS Neosho, named in tribute to the Neosho River which flowed through Kansas and Oklahoma. Neosho was laid down in 1862 and was the lead ship of her class of Neosho-class ironclad river monitors. Outfitted with a steam powered gun turret at the bow which contained 2 Dahlgren guns, the Neosho was a formidable adversary to the Confederacy. She was launched on February 18, 1863 and commissioned at Cairo, Illinois on May 13, 1863, under the command of Commander John C. Febiger and pilot John Ferrell at the helm. After completion, Neosho departed Cairo on July 14, 1863 and set a course for Vicksburg, arriving just over a month after the inundated city had surrendered after a lengthy siege. Neosho was assigned to Admiral David Porter’s Mississippi Squadron and patrolled the Mississippi River and its tributaries with other warships in order to prevent Confederate raiders and flying batteries from causing disruptions among Union supply ships. On December 8, 1863 a Confederate shore battery attacked and disabled the merchant steamer Henry Von Phul. The Neosho and USS Signal were able to aid the crippled vessel and destroy the rebel battery. Ferrell continued to skillfully pilot the Neosho and from March 12-May 22, 1864, he and the crew participated in the unsuccessful Red River Campaign. During the retreat down the Red River, Neosho along with most of the other ironclads of the Mississippi Squadron, were trapped above the falls at Alexandria, Louisiana, when the river's water level unpredictably began to diminish. Baily’s Dams known were built and helped to raise the water level high enough to allow the ironclads to proceed downstream. After the escape, Neosho participated in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign in December 1864 and bombarded Confederate artillery batteries on the Cumberland River, near Bell's Mills, Tennessee, on December 6. It was on that day that Neosho and her pilot were cemented into American Naval History. During an engagement with Confederates at Bells Mills the Neosho’s flag was shot down when the ship was bombarded by enemy fire. Ferrell, without hesitation, exited the pilot house, joining Quartermaster John Ditzenback, and braved intense and constant fire to reraise the vessel’s colors. Despite being hit over 100 times, Neosho was not seriously damaged and successfully suppressed the Confederate batteries. For this action, both he and Ditzenback were awarded the Medal of Honor 6 months later, on June 22, 1865. Ferrell's official Medal of Honor citation reads: “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Mr. John H. Ferrell, a United States Civilian, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S. Monitor NEOSHO during the engagement with enemy batteries at Bells Mills, Cumberland River, near Nashville, Tennessee, 6 December 1864. Carrying out his duties courageously during the engagement, Civilian Pilot John Ferrell gallantly left the pilothouse after the flag and signal staffs of that vessel had been shot away and, taking the flag which was drooping over the wheelhouse, make it fast to the stump of the highest mast remaining although the ship was still under a heavy fire from the enemy.” Neosho continued to harass rebel forces and bombarded the Confederate right wing during the Battle of Nashville on December 15-16, 1864. This was her last major action before being decommissioned and placed in reserve on July 23, 1865. Ferrell survived the award and retired to his home in Illinois where he passed away on April 17, 1900, at age 71. The presentation grade cutlass is striking and is worthy of a pilot of Ferrell’s quality. The presentation is located on the upper mount and reads “To Pilot / John H. Ferrell / From The Officer’s / And / Men of The USS Neosho”. The lower half of the upper mount is also engraved with the retailer's name “James Gould / Baltimore, MD”. Not only is the upper mount engraved, but the basket hilt is also engraved to the pilot on the thick edge which reads “Pilot John H. Ferrell” in tasteful script. The blade is absolutely sophisticated, crafted of stylish Damascus and marked “EISENHAUER ECHT DAMAST”. Hilt is in the style of a regulation officer’s cutlass with large brass cup guard with cut-out letters “USN”. An anchor decoration has been soldered above the letters. Knurled edge to the pommel cap. Swelled wood grip wrapped with leather with faint impressions within the grooves hinting at traces of double twisted wire. The scabbard is of black leather and features neatly scalloped brass mounts. Upper and middle mount each feature bands decorated with floral motifs that retain carry rings. Pronounced drag. CONDITION: The blade exhibits scattered areas of freckling which does not detract from the mesmerizing pattern of the Damascus. Cup guard exhibits traces of original gilt with scattered blemishes from handling and age. Small dent at the S. Grip exhibits handling wear with scattered scuffs. Scabbard flexes towards the center and exhibits areas of leather loss and flaking. Tight seam with mounts that remain secured to the scabbard body. Minor dent on the upper mount at the bottom of the presentation. This is an outstanding example of a civil war presentation cutlass and a rare opportunity for the serious sword collector.