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

72081

The Sword of General Philip Sheridan Presented t

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:80,000.00 - 120,000.00 USD
The Sword of General Philip Sheridan Presented t
<B>The Sword of General Philip Sheridan Presented to Thomas Donaldson, of The Smithsonian Institution</B></I> General Philip Henry Sheridan was one of the most famous commanders of the Civil War. This presentation sword was presented to Thomas Donaldson in 1887, a good friend of Sheridan's who was an collector of American historical artifacts. <BR>An 1853 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Sheridan served in the 1st United States Infantry Regiment and took part in Indian fighting receiving a minor wound near Portland, Oregon. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was already a seasoned warrior who quickly rose through the ranks to lead the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac under his friend General Ulysses S. Grant. Sheridan was instrumental in blocking General Robert E. Lee's escape and forcing his surrender at Appomattox Court House. <BR>This imported sword owned by General Sheridan early in his career was manufactured by David Wilhelm Walscheid of Germany, a popular maker of this ornate version of the 1850 regulation foot officer's sword which were widely imported during the early days of the Civil War (<I>Echoes of Glory,</B></I> Time-Life, pg. 74). Sheridan would be active in the United States Army after the Civil War including fighting in the Indian Wars where he was promoted to Lieutenant General. President Grant sent Sheridan to observe the Franco-Prussian War where Sheridan toured Europe, returning to report to Grant. In 1886 Sheridan was named as president of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a military order that dated back to the Civil War composed of almost every military officer of note. Modeled on the Society of the Cincinnati, membership was later opened up to descendants of such officers.<BR> It was on that ceremonial occasion that we learn that Sheridan was a close friend of Thomas Corwin Donaldson, a former Civil War officer and personal friend of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Donaldson writes extensively in his memoirs of the induction of Sheridan as Commander of the Loyal Legion at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. As Donaldson witnessed the event, former President Hayes was present and handed the ivory gavel of Commander to Sheridan. Afterwards, the group walked to the local chapter of the Loyal Legion where they viewed a copy of the famous painting <I>Sheridan's Ride to Winchester</B></I> whereupon Hayes remarked, "Get me a copy of this lithograph; I am one of the few men that saw this ride."<BR> It was shortly after this event that Sheridan presented this sword to Thomas Donaldson. Engraved at the ornate spread-eagle guard, <I>Philip H. Sheridan, Lieut. Genl. to Thomas Donaldson. Feb. 24th 1887</B></I> In his memoirs, Donaldson later writes of how Sheridan gave him a full recollection of the ride at Winchester on a later occasion, most certainly the date of this presentation.<BR> Thomas Donaldson was a major collector for the Smithsonian Institution but also amassed an enormous personal collection of historical objects ranging from President Abraham Lincoln's furniture, an original copy of the 13th Amendment signed by President Lincoln, General Grant's 'unconditional surrender' letter and this sword given to him personally by Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan. It is listed in the <I>Memoirs of Thomas Donaldson</B></I> as edited by Watt P. Marchman which is housed at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio.<BR> The 1850 Regulation foot officer's sword is an ornate version made and imported by Walscheid for the U. S market at the beginning of the Civil War with a 33" Solingen blade. Along the 19 1/2" fuller there appears foliate engraving with the federal eagle clutching a ribbon bearing the inscription 'E. Pluribus Unum'. At the ricasso is the brass round insert with the word 'proved'. On the reverse is the maker's mark at the ricasso with foliate engraving extending up the fuller interspersed by the engraved 'U. S.' The brass guard has openwork in the form a spread-winged eagle over a 'US' and is surmounted by the inscription 'E. Pluribus'. A ribbon at the top of the guard bears the engraved dedication from Sheridan to Donaldson. The rayskin grip is bound by twisted brass wire and overall the sword is in very good condition with a nice dark patina throughout.<BR> This is an early Civil War sword owned and used by General Philip Henry Sheridan, one the greatest military men America has had to offer, perhaps during his famous ride. It was received by a prominent soldier, historian and collector who helped amass the extensive collection at the Smithsonian Institution..<BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>Philip Sherman to Thomas Donaldson; 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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