Important Richmond Civil War Sword Heads to Auction Block at Heritage!

Important Richmond Civil War Sword Heads to Auction Block at Heritage!

Dallas, TX: Confederate General John Henry Winder enjoyed an illustrious military career after his graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1820. He was an instructor of tactics while Jefferson Davis was a cadet, but resigned from the army in 1823. Reappointed four years later, he distinguished himself during the Mexican War, earning brevets for action at Contreras and Churubusco and rising to the rank of major at the outbreak of the Civil War.

Already 60 years of age, Winder resigned his commission and was appointed a Brigadier General of the Provisional Confederate Army on April 27, 1861. He would become famous as the Provost Marshal at Richmond, a position that made him at times unpopular with the local citizenry since he was in charge of order in the city during its tremendous growth during the war. But his service as Commissary General of all Union prisoners of war east of the Mississippi is where he gained his greatest notoriety.

"This Boyle and Gamble officer's sword offered in our upcoming auction was presented to General Winder during a tumultuous time, as newspapers of the North heaped a plethora of bad press upon the General for his alleged mistreatment of Union prisoners of war, especially those at Andersonville, Georgia," said Dennis Lowe, Director of Civil War auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "Presented to him by 'some of his friends in Richmond,' as inscribed on the obverse of the 35" blade, this sword must have been well-received by the General, as these were some his darkest days. The inscription, 'To Gen J. H. Winder, From some of his friends in Richmond and as a token of their esteem, July 15 - 1864,' appears at the midpoint of the obverse of the blade, surrounded by intricate floral engraving. Three inches below the inscription are two crossed Confederate flags atop two crossed cannon. At the ricasso, there appears highly etched cross-hatching with a floral motif above."

Lowe continued, "On the reverse of the blade, the length of the sword is highly engraved in a floral design that extends nearly to the extent of the ¾ length fuller. At the ricasso of the reverse is more cross-hatching, below which is the script 'Boyle & Gamble.' The leather washer is still intact at the ricasso."

"The brass guard is still highly gilded," Lowe said, "retaining much of its luster. Incorporating the floating 'CS' insignia, intricate foliate work that extends to the pommel and the quillon appears on each side. The grip is made of black leather wrapped by twisted brass wire, and is in excellent condition. There is some wear at the knuckle bow, which is pierced for a sword knot. Additionally, the metal scabbard is highly accentuated by the brass throat, center mount, 8" lower mount along with the rings that make the scabbard visually and functionally attractive."

"This sword was a war trophy captured by Lieutenant Isaac D. Landis, a Union officer with the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry that fought with General William Tecumseh Sherman during his 'March to the Sea,'" Lowe said. "Although it is unknown how the young lieutenant came to own this sword, it was inherited by his grandson Landis Haines and was acquired by the noted dealer and collector Norm Flayderman in 1961. Further, the sword is documented in the July 23, 1864 edition of the Richmond Daily Dispatch. The article describes the sword in detail, mentioning 'a sword to be presented to General John H. Winder,' and noting the dedication of the engraving as described here. The article notes the artisan's name at Boyle and Gamble as 'the work of art of Mr. Harry A. McArdle, a young artist who is engaged as draughtsman in one of the departments in this city.'"

"The literature of the period notes that Winder made every effort to deplete the ranks of Union prisoners through an exchange process that was met with resistance by the federal government," Lowe said. "He died before war's end on February 7, 1865 at Florence, South Carolina. This Confederate presentation sword is a rare historical treasure that was carried by a leading Confederate general who played a significant role during the Civil War. Only a few Confederate 'General's' presentation swords are known to exist."

The Presentation Sword of Confederate General John Henry Winder will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Civil War Signature auction, to be held on June 24, 2007 in Gettysburg, PA.

The Presentation Sword of Confederate General John Henry Winder:
ESTIMATE: $200,000 - $400,000

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Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Dennis Lowe at DennisL@HA.com.

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