The inscription on the throat of this very fine Model1850 Foot Officer's sword reads: “Captured at Battle of Winchester from 1st Lieutenant 5th Rhode Island Battery by John C. Carroll 1st Maryland Cav. C.S.A.”. This is beautifully done. The blade decorations are as tasteful as the presentation and feature foliate and patriotic motifs. The ricasso is marked on both sides with the obverse featuring inspector marks “US / A.D.K. / 1850” and the reverse marked “Ames Mfg. Co / Chicopee, Mass” The guard is equally ornate, gilded, and features pierced open foliate and floral scrolls, terminating with a leafy quillon. The grip is of wood, neatly grooved to accommodate twisted brass wire, and wrapped in high quality sharkskin. Pommel is decorated with laurel leaves leading to a tiered cap that is marked "J.W.R. / A.D.K.". Complete with the black leather scabbard which features beautiful, gilded mounts. Upper and middle mounts each feature the typical band with carry ring. Upper mount is marked “AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS”. The blade exhibits a pleasing burnish and decorations remain crisp. The hilt bears a generous amount of its original guiding. Twisted wire remains wrapped to the grip with nice sharkskin that exhibits handling wear. The heavy leather scabbard is very fine. There are a couple of breaks that have been professionally stabilized these do not affect the overall appearance. The gilt mounts exhibit a tremendous amount of original finish. This a rare first year of production example of an Ames M1850 foot officer’s sword.

About the captor: John Carroll was a Baltimore resident, and not yet 18, when he crossed the Potomac with 3 companions and enlisted at Richmond in Utterback’s company of Virginia Light Artillery on September 5, 1862, by his own account, though records say it was August 31. Variously known as the Warrenton Light Artillery, Brook’s Battery, etc., the unit saw action at Fredericksburg and at Gettysburg, where Carroll said he was present, suffering the loss of 5 men out of 58 as part of Poague’s artillery battalion in Hill’s corps. Subsequently Carroll applied to Harry Gilmore for transfer to his Maryland cavalry in May 1864, and finally moved into Captain Schwartz’s Company F of the 1st Maryland Cavalry on July 24. He served in Maryland on 2 raids, the last of which was Early’s raid on Washington in July 1864, followed by his move into the Shenandoah Valley where Sheridan was tasked with driving him out. The (Third) Battle of Winchester (“Opequon”) was fought September 19, 1864 and was an important battle of the Valley campaign but a hard-fought Confederate defeat. Carroll campaigned on with Early in the Valley but after a 2-week bout of sickness, he crossed back into Maryland near Edwards Ferry on Christmas Day 1864 and turned himself into the U.S. Provost Marshal. He was eventually released on oath with the condition that he leave and stay north of Philadelphia.

About the inscribed history: Carroll was mistaken in his memory of the Union officer’s unit, as there was no 5th Rhode Island Battery at 3rd Winchester aka Opequon . There were, however, other units from there designated as “5th.” For example, the 5th New York Heavy Artillery and the 5th US Artillery (Regulars). Of course, the designation 5th may be an engraver's error? The 1st Rhode Island artillery had four batteries at the battle! Some cross referencing of locations on the battlefield and official reports might narrow down or reveal the Union officer and battery. Given the US inspection marks on the sword it is likely this example was in the hand of a US Regular officer. Interestingly a clue to the Union officer may be scratched on the hilt.  On both sides of the guard scratched through the gilt one discerns: "TJ--" lightly on one side of the blade and on the other "Tho----" followed by "- Hard-"

Yankee swords inscribed by Confederate captors are extremely rare and highly sought after. And this is in beautiful condition.  [pe] [ph:L]

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