LIEUTENANT TO MAJOR JULIUS STIMPSON CLARK'S SWORD

LIEUTENANT TO MAJOR JULIUS STIMPSON CLARK'S SWORD

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$1,995.00

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Item Code: 1284-35

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Enlisting on June 15, 1861, in the 4th Maine Infantry as a Commissary Sergeant Clark was soon captured at the battle of First Bull Run (4th Maine Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War). He was a captive for months and upon his return in 1862 Clark was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. In 1863, as a 1st Lieutenant he was transferred to the Department of the Gulf and attached to the newly formed 8th Corps d'Afrique US Colored Infantry. This unit soon became the 80th United States Colored Infantry (80th United States Colored Infantry Regiment - Wikipedia). Lieutenant (acting captain) Clark commanded Company C for the remainder of the war. He had actively sought a position commanding men of color. Both Julius and his father were ardent abolitionists and strong proponents for the enlistment of black soldiers into the Union Army. In July 1865 Clark received an official captaincy. His records show him, still on the rolls of the 80th in the summer of 1866 but also working with the Freedman's Bureau in New Orleans and surrounds. In January and February inclusive he was serving as a founding member and captain with the 9th US Cavalry (Buffalo Soldier - Wikipedia). Attached is a picture of him in the National Archives that shows Clark with the 9th US Cavalry; by that time, with a captain of cavalry, he had dispensed with this 1850-foot officer's sword and is holding, in the photo, an appropriate cavalry officer's saber.


The sword offered is pretty much a regulation Model1850 staff and field officer's sword except that the eagle in the brass guard resembles more a Phoenix rising from the ashes. The grips 100% intact are fish skin and the original twisted wire once in place is missing. The Solingen made blade is 31 inches in length and is etched with US patriotic and foliated motifs. The blade shows much of its original burnish, but having never been cleaned, it has surface blemishes and grim. It is encased in its original fine condition brass mounted leather scabbard. Glued between the top and middle mount is a wonderful period ink handwritten note that reads: "SWORD OF CAPTAIN AND BREVET MAJOR JULIUS S. CLARK. ENLISTED 4th REGIMENT MAINE VOLUNTEERS APRIL 27, 1861 & IN CONTINUED SERVICE TO MARCH 2nd,1867. ARMY POTOMAC, ARMY GULF." On the opposite side of the scabbard is, "7 Mrs. Warren". The number assigned the sword was "7" and the donor "Mrs. Warren" was Brevet Major Clark's daughter. Since Clark was a Lieutenant with the 4th Maine Infantry early in 1862 then one can place the swords acquisition by Clark to that time.

This wonderfully historic sword originated from the U.S. Grant GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Post 4, later the Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts 590 Main St. Chartered on February 19, 1867, the post lasted until 1945. This sword was donated to the post by Anitta Belle Clark Warren the daughter of Brevet Major Julius Stimpson Clark both she and her father resided and are now buried in Melrose. Mayo Dyer Hersey, a prominent engineer, scientist and Brown University professor had been involved with the Grant Post over his life and accepted the donation sometime after 1920.

In 1945 the GAR Hall transformed into the Memorial Hall and the items were therein deposited and display for another couple of decades. Mayo Dyer Hersey was intimately involved in this transfer and docketed the hundreds of military items. After the Civil War Centennial, the museum sold off the majority of their military items which then found homes in many of this country's finest collections.

Doctor Julius Stimpson Clark died in Melrose Massachusetts. A great looking sword that was carried in 2 theaters of the war an ultimately commanded US Colored Troops. The 4th Maine has two monuments at Gettysburg!  [pe] [ph:L]

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