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

74023

Presentation Sword CSA General John H. Winder

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:62,500.00 USD Estimated At:250,000.00 - 350,000.00 USD
Presentation Sword CSA General John H. Winder
<B>Presentation Sword of Confederate General John Henry Winder. Captured by a 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry Soldier at the Fall of Richmond.</B></I> Confederate General John Henry Winder enjoyed an illustrious military career after his graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1820. He was an instructor of tactics while Jefferson Davis was a cadet but resigned from the army in 1823. Re-appointed four years later, he distinguished himself during the Mexican War, earning brevets for action at Contreras and Churubusco and rising to the rank of major at the outbreak of the Civil War. <BR><BR>Already 60 years of age, he resigned his commission and was appointed a brigadier general of the Provisional Confederate Army on April 27, 1861. He would become famous as the Provost Marshal at Richmond, the Confederate capitol, a position that made him at times unpopular with the local citizenry since he was in charge of order in the city during its tremendous growth during the war. But his service as Commissary General of all Union prisoners of war east of the Mississippi is where he gained most of his notoriety. <BR><BR>This Boyle and Gamble officer's sword was presented to General Winder during that tumultuous time as newspapers of the North heaped much bad press upon the General for his alleged mistreatment of Union prisoners of war, especially those at Andersonville, Georgia. Presented to him by "Some of his friends in Richmond" as inscribed on the obverse of the frosty 35" blade, this sword must have been well received by the General as these were some of his darkest days. The inscription, "To Gen J. H. Winder, From some of his friends in Richmond and as a token of their esteem, July 15 - 1864", appears at the midpoint of the obverse of the blade and is surrounded by intricate floral engraving. Three inches below the inscription are two crossed Confederate flags atop two crossed cannons. At the ricasso, there is highly etched cross-hatching with a floral motif above. On the reverse of the blade, the length of the sword is highly engraved in a floral design that extends nearly to the extent of the ¾ length fuller. At the ricasso of the reverse is more cross-hatching below which is the script "Boyle & Gamble". The leather washer is still intact at the ricasso. The gilt brass guard is still highly gilded retaining much of its luster. Incorporating the floating "CS" insignia, on each side is intricate foliate work that extends to the pommel and the quillon. The grip is made of black leather wrapped by brass twisted wire and is in excellent condition. <BR><BR>The metal scabbard is highly accentuated by the brass throat, center mount, and 8" lower mount along with the rings that make the scabbard visually and functionally attractive. <BR><BR>This sword was a war trophy captured by Lieutenant Isaac D. Landis, a Union officer with the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, which fought with General William Tecumseh Sherman during his "March to the Sea." This sword must have been captured near Florence, South Carolina, where Gen Winder had just died. Landis made his way back to Pennsylvania, and the sword was inherited by his grandson Landis Haines. It was acquired by the noted dealer and collector Norm Flayderman in 1961. The sword is further documented in the July 23, 1864 edition of the Richmond Daily Dispatch. The article describes the sword in detail and mentions "a sword to be presented to General John H. Winder" and notes the dedication of the engraving as described here. The article notes the artisan's name at Boyle and Gamble as "the work of art of Mr. Harry A. McArdle, a young artist who is engaged as draughtsman in one of the departments in this city." <BR><BR>General John Henry Winder must have surely welcomed this presentation sword, a gesture of support from the people back in Richmond during his most desperate days of the war. The literature of the period notes that he made every effort to deplete the ranks of Union prisoners through an exchange process that was met with resistance by the federal government. He died before war's end on February 7, 1865, at Florence, South Carolina. This Confederate presentation sword is a rare historical and unique general's sword that was carried by a leading Confederate general who played a significant role during the Civil War. Only a few Confederate generals' presentation swords are known to exist. <BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <BR><I>General John Henry Winder <BR>Landis Haines (Grandson of Lt. Issac Landis, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry Sherman's ) <BR>J. H. Briefer <BR>Norm Flayderman <BR>The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I> <BR><BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I><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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