LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

74012

Medal of Honor Soldier - Captain Forrester Lore

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:21,250.00 USD Estimated At:85,000.00 - 95,000.00 USD
Medal of Honor Soldier - Captain Forrester Lore
<B>Civil War Presentation Sword - Medal of Honor Awardee Captain Forrester Lore Taylor.</B></I> It is rare that the exact details of a Civil War officer's actions leading to his being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor come from his personal accounts of the war. Captain Forrester Lore Taylor, awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Chancellorsville with the 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, told his story for the book <I>Deeds of Valor</B></I> (Detroit: Perrien-Keydel Company, 1907), which included the personal reminiscences of the recipients of the Medal of Honor. For his bravery on that day and as a token of their esteem upon his reenlistment to lead their new company, the men of Company "H" of the 34th New Jersey Volunteers presented this intricately engraved William Clauberg presentation sword to Captain Taylor on October 27, 1863, just five months after the action at Salem Heights during the Chancellorsville campaign. <BR><BR>The 32" blade, with its 22" fuller, is beautifully engraved on both sides by the Clauberg craftsmen of Solingen, Germany, and especially made for Captain Taylor. Starting at the ricasso, the "W. Clauberg Solingen" maker's mark includes a standing knight figure just below a large foliate design resembling a sunburst. Just above are stands of United States colors, crossed cannon surmounted by intricate floral designs broken by a large "U.S." A pair of crossed sabers, another two crossed cannons, a display of American flags, and scrollwork engraving complete the etching on the obverse of the blade. The reverse of the blade is highly engraved with a stand of American flags at the ricasso, similar, but not identical to the obverse. Just above is an elaborate and remarkable federal eagle with a ribbon engraved with the motto "E. Pluribus Unum". The work is set within a sunburst and is truly beautiful. Following up the fuller is another set of crossed cannons interspersed by elaborate floral work and terminating in a dramatic stand of colors and musketry. <BR><BR>The steel guard of the sword exhibits a federal eagle bearing arrows and an olive branch over a "U.S." device. The guard is partially hinged with a folding portion near the tang that tips toward the ricasso. The tang bears a five-pointed star on each side. The top of the grip bears an elaborate, extended floral pattern that extends the length of the sharkskin grip. There are traces of original gilt left on this sword, but it has certainly seen some wear as Captain Taylor served fourteen more months in the Union Army after being presented this sword. <BR><BR>The metal scabbard is in very good condition with a slight bending mark at ¾ down the scabbard. The drag shows considerable use. The throat of the scabbard is engraved: <BR><BR><B>Presented to:<BR>Capt. Forrester L. Taylor <BR>By the Members of his Co. (H. 34th N.J.V.) <BR>As A Token of Regard<BR>Oct. 27, 1863</B></I> <BR><BR>Forrester Lore Taylor was born October 30, 1833, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had been a member of the New Jersey militia by the start of the Civil War. When President Lincoln called militia groups into service, Taylor enlisted as a sergeant with Company "A" of the 23rd Infantry Regiment assigned to the Army of the Potomac and fighting at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Promoted three times between Fredericksburg and the unit's next action, he was made captain of Company "H" on April 18, 1863, just in time for the upcoming Chancellorsville Campaign. It was on May 3, 1863, at Salem Heights that Captain Taylor earned his citation for bravery while saving the lives of two of his men. <BR><BR>As recounted in <I>Deeds of Valor,</B></I> Captain Taylor's unit had encountered a strong force of Confederates and was in retreat after suffering a great number of casualties. An excerpt from the chapter entitled "On Errands of Mercy" devoted to his Medal of Honor action, reads in Captain Taylor's own words, "After the retreat was ordered, as I was hurrying down the road, I came to the prostrate form of second Lieutenant Wilson of my company, who earnestly begged me to save him. Although it looked like suicide, I could not refuse, and stood by him making several unavailing efforts to obtain aid. Finally, three of my men who were hurrying by, responded. One of them spread his blanket on the ground; we lifted the lieutenant on it, and, each taking a corner, started to the rear." <BR><BR>Captain Taylor's account of the battle continues for two pages of the book, a copy of which is included with this sword. Captain Taylor made two more desperate rescue attempts, succeeding in saving Corporal Joel Wainwright but not so with one of his lieutenants, Charles Sibley. Under heavy fire and thinking "discretion was the better part of valor," Captain Taylor made his way back to his lines. After a lull in the battle, Lieutenant Sibley's shoulder boards and cap were "sent to us by the Confederates the next morning, under a flag of truce with a message telling of his death and soldier's burial." <BR><BR>This is truly a moving account of a hero who was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his brave actions during the Civil War. This elaborate presentation sword is evidence that he was not only honored by Congress, but by his men as well. With the 34th New Jersey, Captain Taylor fought through Mississippi and Kentucky and at Island Number 10 on the Mississippi River. Captain Taylor was later brevetted as a major for his actions during the war after he was discharged on December 2, 1864 at Washington, D.C. <BR><BR>Included with this sword is not only research concerning Captain Taylor, but also a full plate daguerreotype of him taken sometime during the war before he was awarded this presentation sword. Hand tinted and in very good condition, the leather and velvet cased image shows Captain Taylor holding a sword attached to a Union buckled belt set he is wearing along with a silver-handled sheathed knife. Taylor has a long beard and is obviously ready for battle with a cold, hard stare for the photographer. There is some damage to the spine of the leather case that has been repaired with tape. A rare grouping of material from a winner of the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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