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Sauerbier High Grade Cavalry Officer's Sword Presented to Captain Charles Haughtelling, hero of "The Slaughter Pen" along with... (Total: 3 Items)
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Description
For Gallantry at Murfreesboro, Decr. 31st. 1 & 2. Jany. 1863.
Sauerbier High Grade Cavalry Officer's Sword Presented to Captain Charles Haughtelling, hero of "The Slaughter Pen" along with Frock Coat, Belt and Sash.35 1/2-inch curved blade. The blade's reverse is etched with ornate foliate scroll and the inscription UNUM / E. PLURIBUS. The obverse is etched with a US surrounded by foliate scroll. Gold gilded brass hilt with half-basket guard with Union shield near quillon. Leather wrapped grip with bordered wire wrapping with Mother-of-Pearl Freemason carved inset near pommel. The pommel cap with a wonderful Mother-of-Pearl carved cameo of George Washington. Profusely etched Gold gilded brass scabbard with a foliate scrollwork and an eagle wrapped around UNION banner decorate one side. Oak leaf design to throat, mounts and drag. The other side of the scabbard is inscribed:
TO / CAPTAIN CHARLES HAUGHTELLING [in an arc]. / FOR / GALLANTRY AT / MURFREESBORO, DEC 31ST. 1 & 2. JANY. / 1863.
16TH. ILL.
COL. R.F. SMITH / LT. COL. J.B. CAHILL / MAJ. CHAS. PETRIE
10TH. MICH.
COL. CHARLES M. LUM / LT. COL. J.C. DICKERSON / MAJ. J.J. SCARRITT
10TH. ILL.
COL. JOHN TILLSON, / LT. COL. M.F. WOOD, / MAJ. C.L. COWAN.
60TH ILL.
COL. SILAS C. FOLOR, / LT. COL. WM. B. ANDERSON, / MAJ. SAML. HOSS.
14TH. MICH.
LT. COL. M.W. QUACKINBUSH.
Charles Houghtaling [spelling as found in war records] was born in NY 1819 and died in Illinois 1883. He served as a Captain, Major, Colonel and later to a Brigadier General. He was Captain and Commanding officer of Battery C at the Battle of Stone's River [Murphreesboro] in late 1862 and his actions at that place were the reason for this most important of presentations. According to research, early in this battle, "The Confederates, headed by troops from Alabama and South Carolina, rushed out of the woods towards Sheridan's position, only to be met with artillery fire and small arms volleys from the Yankees. However, the defense did not hold and soon the borders of Sheridan's defense began to collapse which would have resulted in a Confederate route in a major battle led by
Rosecrans. Only Sheridan's brigade of men from Illinois and Missouri stood strong. Sheridan's three brigade commanders were killed in the "Slaughter Pen" and a third of his division was destroyed. Finally, the Federals ran out of ammunition and turned to fighting hand-to-hand with bayonets, scrambling
through the forest and the underbrush. He had lost 14 pieces of artillery, but not without a fight. The cannon crews defended their guns with everything they had, turning from guns to knives and even their bare knuckles. Captain Houghtaling had been ordered to hold his artillery at all costs... a command he took literally. With every artillery horse killed, out of ammunition
and with most of his command killed or wounded, only at the very last moment were his guns abandoned and even then, Houghtaling had to be dragged from the field, a trail of his blood painting the rocky slopes. His fearlessness and gallantry did not win the battle, but prevented the loss of countless lives and inevitable capture of the entire brigade. To find a sword a presentation such as this, from 13 of his fellow officers (no less than 5 of whom became Generals) from 5 different units attests to their admiration and thanks for Houghtaling's courage and valor. Due to his valor, Houghtaling was eventually made Chief of Artillery in the 14th Corps, Major General Jefferson C. Davis, Army of Tennessee for Sherman."
Note: This lot also includes the following: Houghtaling's Captain's frock coat of fine quality dark blue wool. Good sleeve cut, nine-button front, three buttons on each cuff. Japanned hooks and eyelets at the waist between the second and third lower buttons. 1 1/4-inch high standup collar with blue velvet lining. Gray silk body lining with quilted chest. White cotton sleeve lining. Breast pockets lined with brown polished cotton as are the tail pockets. Raw cut bottom edge. 1 1/2-wide single-border bullion Captain's shoulder straps with velvet background. Shoulder straps are affixed to coat via tie strings. Approximately 41-inches in length. A brown leather sword belt and leather hangers. Leather measures 38-inches overall, the hangers 26 and 12-inches respectively. Pattern 1851 waist belt plate. Both plate and keeper unmarked. Crimson officers' sash measuring 110-inches long and 3 1/2-inches wide terminates in two heavy cord tassels that measure 6-inches to the tip of the fringe. A beautiful example of the standard Civil War officers' sash. Also included in the sale are two 3-inch thick binders which detail the history of most of those who are inscribed on scabbard and their units including Houghtaling. Cataloguing and research of this historic group with the help of www.HistoricalArms.com.
Provenance:
Michael E. Simens Collection.
Property of a Gentleman.
Condition: Fine. The blade is smooth and bright with scattered spots and fine pits. The hilt has 60-70% original gilt. Pommel cap bust with small chip. Scabbard with few dings, dents and fine scratches. 85% plus gilt present with minor loses to rings and drag. Frock coat, sword belt and sash with normal age wear. Coat with mothing and light staining, otherwise fine.
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