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HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT - BATTLEFIELD USED SWORD - CARRIED BY GENERAL NELSON A. MILES

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Adopted in August 1860 for staff officers, this pattern of US Army sword was used by officers of the staff and by general officers. A mistaken designation as the “1860 staff and field sword,” however, has taken hold among collectors. In use until 1902, the sword shows up in many variations, and it is sometimes difficult to sort out real Civil War examples from the later ones. This one has the Civil War characteristics, noted by author John H. Thillmann, in his book “Civil War Swords”.

The hilt shows a mellow brass patina on the high points, with a reddish chocolate color in the recesses. The pommel cap features a cast spread wing eagle on one side and a shield on the opposite. The blade tang peen shows signs of being tightened during the period of use (common among heavily used in the field swords). The counterguard has a droop wing eagle casting (no shield on chest) with a series of three draped flags on each side. The folding guard, which is typically left blank on the earlier versions, is neatly hand engraved in block letters. It reads “I CARRIED THIS SWORD THROUGH THE/ CIVIL, INDIAN & SPANISH-AMERICAN WARS/PRESENTED TO COL. HENRY H. ADAMS/ AS A MARK OF MY ESTEEM/ NELSON A. MILES COMM’D OF THE ARMY/ JANUARY 6^TH 1900”.  The guard itself wears a warm un-cleaned patina with the engraved recessed letters and raised border all having a nice chocolate color. The button spring for the folding guard is now missing. The knuckle bow has a central motif of a flower and twisted bolts of lightning. The grip is sharkskin and perfect, with all binding wire present and tight as well (Thillmann notes that Civil War examples are more commonly found with sharkskin).

The blade is arris (or diamond) shaped, which is characteristic of early-war production (by 1863 the blades tend to be oval). The blade etching is rather plain and covers a panel on the upper 1/3. It consists of a vine with block letter “US” on one side and an American eagle with panoply of arms on the other. No makers marks at all (possibly French origin). The blade wears a mottled frosting with scattered areas of darker color. About a 50/50 mixture overall. A few small edge nicks are present, located about 4 inches from the tip.

The scabbard is iron mounted and has a brass double ring on the top mount. A single ring is situated on the lower. The ring mounts are relief cast with simple acanthus leaves on the obverse and plain outline on the reverse. The upper rings show a considerable amount of wear from being suspended. The scabbard drag is gilt brass and notched. It shows drooped crossed flags on the front and a single raised 5-point star on the rear. The patina is gun metal lighter grey with a darker area towards the hilt. One small dent is located just above the drag obverse.  There is no maker’s plaque on the reverse of the scabbard near the throat. The only markings visible are a small assembly number “11” on the rear of both ring mounts. Production was limited on this type of sword and many officers entitled, or required, to wear it in fact, preferred the 1850 pattern swords.

Few American swords in existence have borne witness to more of the tragedy and triumph of American military history over a 40-year period, than this example. Nelson Appleton Miles was originally commissioned a Captain into Company E, 22^nd Massachusetts Infantry on September 9^th, 1861. Commissioned a colonel of the 61^st New York Infantry on May 31^st, 1862. Brevetted brigadier general for his gallantry at Chancellorsville on May 12^th, 1864 and major general on October 21^st, 1865, for his service at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Reams’s Station. Miles was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at Chancellorsville. During the Indian War period Miles successfully conducted campaigns against the Kiowas, Comanches, Cheyenne, Sioux, Nez Perce, Bannock and Apache. Later he commanded the Departments of Columbia, Missouri and Arizona. He also commanded the military Divisions of the Pacific and Missouri. Given the rank of Lt. General on June 6^th, 1900. He retired on August 8^th, 1903 and passed away on May 5^th, 1925.

The recipient of Miles’ historic sword was Henry Herschel Adams. Born on July 9^th, 1844 in Collamer, OH and direct descendant of John Adams. At age 17 he enlisted in company G of the 125 Ohio infantry. He was present at the battles of Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, and Kenesaw Mountain. In 1864 he was taken prisoner in Athens, Alabama. He was imprisoned for 3 months and reported for duty the morning of the battle of Nashville. He was discharged for disability on March 10^th, 1865. At the close of the war he returned to Cleveland, Ohio. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor by General O. O. Howard. He was engaged in the iron manufacture business and eventually moved to New York. A member of the Old Guard of New York, he raised his own regiment for the Spanish-American War and became Colonel. He was a past Commander of the Lafayette GAR Post #140 of New York City. Adams passed away on May 6^th, 1906.

One event that may have inspired General Miles to gift away such an important item was Colonel Adams involvement in a $50,000 house presentation. The New York friends of General Miles, Commanding the Army, contributed money to purchase a house in Washington, DC. Colonel Adams and his friends personally pledged about $20,000 to $25,000.

A likely event when Miles may have given the sword to Adams was on November 11^th, 1898 during a banquet at the Waldorf Astroria in New York City (see original invitation included). The New York Times of the same date also noted an informal reception at the Hotel Majestic with Miles as Colonel Henry Adams guest, acting for the members of the DAR. Regardless of the exact time that Miles gifted his prized sword to Adams, it remains as a personally documented and tangible piece of American history. This sword was previously in the collections of Stanley Olpp (pre-1982), Ronald Saus (1982) and Art Beltrone (1983). Sold at Heritage Auctions June 29^th, 2008-Gettysburg Lot #72159. [stp][ph:L]

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