Well used but complete Model 1840 cavalry saber stamped at top of the knuckle bow with “LIEUT. C. RODEN.”

Charles Ernst Von Roden was born in the Hanover region of Lower Saxony in Germany in April of 1832. Upon arrival in the United States the family dropped the “Von” and just went by Roden.

He was living in Chicago when he was commissioned a 1^st lieutenant in Company D, 12^th Illinois Cavalry on February 24, 1862. The following October he was promoted to captain of Company B.

Roden was present with his regiment when it was sent to Martinsburg, West Virginia in June of 1862. While there they were active in picket duty and were involved in numerous skirmishes with Confederate cavalry. The regiment was trapped in Harper’s Ferry by Stonewall Jackson’s forces in September of 1862 during the Antietam campaign. Roden along with his regiment managed to slip through Jackson’s lines on a daring and successful nighttime escape from Harper’s Ferry on the evening of the 14/15 of September.

During the Chancellorsville Campaign while raiding with General Stoneman, Roden led Companies B and C against a Confederate wagon train consisting of 18 wagons. After the capture Roden burned the wagons and returned to the Union column with the animals.

Capt. Roden missed the Gettysburg Campaign due to illness and court-martial duty and in September was given a leave of absence. He returned to his company in November of 1863 but illness continued to plaque him and he resigned at New Orleans on April 21, 1864.

Not much is known about Roden’s post-war life other then he married Louise Stark on August 13, 1869 and had five children. He died in Chicago on September 29, 1905 and is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.

Roden’s sword is in very good used condition.

The overall length of the drawn sword is 40.00 inches from point to pommel. The curved blade meas. approx. 34.50 inches long with a 25.50 inch long stopped fuller and 14.50 inch narrow fuller. The surface is bright with scattered mottling. The edge has numerous small nicks along most of its length. The obverse ricasso has a worn maker’s mark. Leather washer at the base of the ricasso is gone.

The hilt is in good condition but wiggles just a bit. The grip consists of a turned wooden handle wrapped with black bridle leather and encircled with twisted brass wire all in nice condition. Leather shows very little wear and surface dirt. Wire is tight. The pommel cap and guard are of the usual style found on the Model 1840 and have a nice untouched light patina. The knuckle bow is stamped on one side near the pommel as described above. The two-branch guard has bent a slight bit with the outer branch touching the inner. Guard is also slightly bent upward.

The iron scabbard is dark from oxidation on its surface. There are a few dents just above the drag on each side as well as some light scattered pitting. Both mounts and rings are present as is the throat and drag.

The saber has a very nice used look to it.

With the sword are two books, one on the history of the 12^th Illinois Cavalry and the other is a study of the cavalry escape from Harper’s Ferry. There is also a large file with research on the regiment as well as Roden’s military and pension records from the archives.  [ad] [ph:L]

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