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RARE INSPECTOR MARKED REGULATION MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD BY AMES, ID’D TO 11TH US INFANTRY CAPTAIN & LATER BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN W. AMES

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This inspected regulation Model 1850 foot officer’s sword made by Ames. Overall the drawn sword meas. approx. 36.25” long from point to pommel. The blade itself measures 30.00” long with a 20.50” long stopped central fuller and a 15.50” long narrow fuller running along the top edge. The blade surface is bright with light scattered mottling and a point area where the mottling is a little heavier. The blade edge exhibits several small nicks.

The etched decoration on the blade is slightly subdued. The obverse side decoration begins just above the ricasso with a fan shaped block of dots. This is followed by a panoply of flags and scrollwork leading to a panoply of arms followed by a spread-winged eagle and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” riband and ending with more foliate.

The reverse etching begins just above the ricasso with the maker’s name in three lines “AMES MFG. CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS.”  This is followed by a panoply of arms and scrollwork followed by a block “US” then a panoply of flags and ending with scrollwork and foliate. Both sides of the ricasso are marked. The obverse side has “U.S.” over “R.P.B.” while the reverse ricasso the year “1851” Leather washer is present at the base of the ricasso.

The detailed brass hilt features a cast guard and knucklebow with a delicately cast single-band with cutout oak leaf scrolls and acanthus leaves. Brass hilt is tight to the blade tang. It features a grooved, center-swelled wooden handle wrapped in high quality, gray sharkskin that shows light surface wear. Skin is tightly bound with twisted brass wire that is tight and complete. Normal seam is evident on the side of the grip. Brass pommel is decorated with ornate scrollwork of laurel leaves and features a tiered domed cap. Casting on the hilt and pommel is well executed. Overall the hilt is in excellent condition.

The original black leather scabbard is complete with brass furniture. Scabbard body is strong and exhibits moderate crazing and two bends but no breaks. There is also some surface finish loss. Both the plain brass mounts and throat are present as are both rings. Reverse of throat has AMES MFG CO. / CHICOPEE / MASS.” in three lines. All brass furniture wears a semi-bright patina. Drag has normal scratches as well as some small dings and dents from age, use and storage.

Engraved on the top mount below the throat is “YORKTOWN, GAINES’ MILL, MALVERN HILL, SECOND BULL RUN, ANTIETAM, FREDERICKSBURG, BLACKBURN’S FORD, LEETOWN, FREDERICKSBURG, CHANCELLORSVILLE and GETTYSBURG.” Engraved on the back of the mount above the Ames name is “CAPT. J. W. AMES 11^TH US INFty” with appropriate decorative lines.

With the sword are two wartime letters written during the Gettysburg Campaign, one dated from Aldie Gap June 21, 1863 and the other from Camp 3 miles from Frederick June 28, 1863. The second letter discusses General Meade taking over command of the Army of the Potomac.

Group also contains a copy of General Order #135 dated October 21, 1864 announcing the death of General David B. Birney, several newspaper clippings related to Ames death, a cabinet card photo of his grave, a memorial booklet, leave papers for the only leave Ames took during the war and a wartime cdv of Ames as a Lieutenant.

John Worthington Ames was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on November 23, 1833. He entered Harvard in 1850 and graduated in 1854. He studied engineering for a year at Lawrence Scientific School and then boarded the “DON QUIXOTE” in Boston and sailed to China. From China he sailed on “THE SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS” to London where he remained for a month arriving back in Boston in 1856.

Upon his return from his travels Ames took a job as an engineer for the Railroad Company of Arkansas where he was engaged in building railroads out west and in Texas.

Trapped in Texas when the Civil War began Ames found himself dodging a lynch mob angered by his refusal to join the Southern army. Ames escaped back to Boston by way of New Orleans.

Arriving back in Boston Ames was commissioned a 1^st Lieutenant in the 11^th US Infantry on May 14, 1861 and assigned to recruiting duty in Boston and Springfield. While performing this duty Ames was promoted to Captain in September of 1861.

Leaving Massachusetts in October Ames joined his regiment at Havre-de-Grace, Maryland and took part in all the battles listed on his regulation Model 1850 foot officer’s sword to wit Yorktown, Gaines’ Mill, Malvern Hill, 2^nd Bull Run, Antietam, Blackburn’s Ford, Leetown, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

In September of 1863 Ames received a commission to colonel and took command of the 6^th US Colored Troops which he led to the Army of the James. Not long after his arrival there he was placed in command of the 3^rd Brigade, 3^rd Division, 18^th Corps and received a brevet promotion to brigadier general.  Ames led his brigade at Yorktown, City Point, Baylor’s Field, Petersburg, Bermuda Hundred, Dutch Gap and New Market Heights where he suffered a slight wound.

December found General Ames leading a brigade in the 25^th Corps until January 1865 when he took command of the 2^nd Brigade, 3^rd Division, Terry’s Provisional force for its attack on Fort Fisher and Wilmington. After the fall of Wilmington Ames became part of the occupying force and was there when Lee surrendered to Grant.

Sometime in May General Ames took his first leave of absence and married Miss Margaret C. Plumley in Springfield, Massachusetts.

From June to September of 1865 General Ames commanded the District of Wilmington of the 10^th Corps. He was finally mustered out of the volunteer forces on September 20, 1865 and returned to the 11^th US Infantry in Richmond.

The spring of 1866 found Ames on recruiting duty in Portland, Maine and in the fall of that year he resigned from the army. It is said that for many years afterward General Ames preserved his uniform coat through which ten bullets had passed during his service as well as his cap which was struck in the visor by a bullet while Ames carried the colors of his regiment at New Market Heights.

After leaving the army the General took up residence in Burlington, Iowa acting as a Land Agent for the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company and later on becoming its treasurer.

In September of 1877 General Ames was made US Surveyor-General for California. He held this post until his death on April 6, 1878. He is buried in Mount Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael, California.  [ad] [ph:L]

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