Published Presentation US M1850 Foot Officer’s Sword

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From its original presentation being published in an 1861 Massachusetts newspaper, to itsappearance in a 1986 issue of “The Gun Report”, this sword has a very well-documented,interesting and unique history. This sword was presented to Lt. Edwin F. Richardson onSeptember 25, 1861, its presentation being published at the time in the “CambridgeChronicle”. Richardson was elected as an officer in the first company organized inMassachusetts for the Civil War, when a call for volunteers was published in the Chronicleon January 5, 1861, before the firing on Ft. Sumter. The company was assigned to the 3rdMassachusetts Infantry, and designated as Company C, sailing from Boston to Ft. Monroeon April 18, 1861, from where it proceeded to the Gosport Naval yard in Virginia to assist inthe destruction of the buildings and supplies to prevent them from falling into the hands ofthe Confederacy. As a 3 month unit, the regiment returned to Cambridge and wasdisbanded with much fanfare in July of 1861. Richardson, vowing that “he was determinedto fight till the war was over, and if need be he would leave his bones to bleach on Southernsoil”, then assumed recruiting duties for a company in Cambridge, which became the“Wellington Guards”, to which Richardson was promoted as 1st Lieutenant. At this time,Richardson was presented with this sword, with the Chronicle printing the presentation fromReverend James O. Murray: “I present you this sword in the name and in behalf of thecitizens of Cambridge, it is with assurance that it will never rust in its scabbard. We rely onyou that no stain of dishonor shall ever dim or tarnish its glittering blade.” This may havebeen Richardson’s proudest moment, but things were about to change for the worse…..The sword is a standard US Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword, by Palmers & Bachelders ofBoston, and so marked on the spine of the blade. The 31 ½” single-fullered blade isprofusely etched with stands of arms, scrolling foliage,”US”, an eagle, and Union shield.Brass guard pierced and decorated with scrolling foliage; Phrygian helmet-shaped pommeldecorated with a shield surrounded by a border of stars and foliage. The grip is of leatherwith alternating single and twisted double-strand brass wire wrap. Brown iron scabbard withbrass mounts, the throat mount inscribed “Presented/to/E.F. Richardson,/by the/Citizens ofCambridge./1861″, reverse stamped “PALMERS & BACHELDERS/BOSTON/U.S.A.REGULATION”.

Three days after the sword’s presentation, Richardson’s company was assigned to the22nd Massachusetts Infantry, under Colonel Henry Wilson, a noted US Senator and laterVice President under Grant. They soon embarked to Washington and then on into Virginiawhere they prepared for the siege of Yorktown. Upon the Confederate abandonment ofYorktown, the regiment took possession of the deserted works, suffering their worstcasualties to date from mines and booby traps laid by the retreating Confederates. Theytook part in the battle at Hanover Court House and set up camp nearby, whereRichardson’s career took a disastrous turn. On June 5, 1862, he was assigned as officer ofthe guard for the night. When relieved in the morning he was found in a state of grossintoxication, for which he was brought up on charges to be cashiered from the army. Hiscolonel recommended he be allowed to resign in exchange for the charges being dropped,which Richardson did. He left the regiment and the army in disgrace, returning toCambridge. No doubt this haunted him in his home town, from where he had received thissword, and on which he had left a stain of dishonor. A year and a half later, on December 11, 1863, Richardson enlisted as a private in the 56thMassachusetts to regain his honor. He saw his first action at the Battle of the Wildernesson May 6, the regiment suffering about 85 casualties. After a short rest, the regiment wasinvolved in the fighting at Spotsylvania Court House from May 12, 1864 until the 18th, whereit suffered over 100 more casualties. In their final charge on the 18th, Richardson wasstruck in the arm by a Minie ball and received a massive wound from grape shot in the rightleg. Having received little or no medical attention for a week, he was finally taken to theGeneral Hospital in Alexandria, where he died shortly thereafter. His honor was regainedby this final and supreme sacrifice.

Sword in very good condition, the blade mostly bright; etching clear and crisp. Brass guardwith some of the gilt remaining, the grip with fine original leather and wire. Leather bladewasher. Scabbard with some scattered dings and minor dents, retaining nearly all of theoriginal brown on the body. CDV sharp and clear, the reverse with later handwritten“— RICHARDSON/ THIS PICTURE LOCATED/IN SACRAMENTO IN 1959/WITH HISSASH”Included is a binder of research information on Richardson and the sword, as well as theoriginal CDV depicting an officer in uniform with his sword. Although represented to us as aphoto of Richardson, we are not certain it is the same Richardson who owned the sword.The sword, CDV, magazine, and research binder from the George Oldenbourg Collection,and included with purchase.

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