American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Model 1851 Foot Officer's sword. Manufactured by C. Roby & Co. 32 in. slightly curved, single-edged spear point blade with 22 in. stopped median fuller. 38 in. overall length. Brass half-basket foot officer's pattern guard with single knuckle bow and Phrygian helmet pommel cap. Grooved wood grip covered in shagreen and with 14 wraps of twisted brass wire. Obverse ricasso marked in three etched lines: "C Roby & Co. / W Chelmsford / Mass." Blade acid etched for approximately 18 1/4 in. with patriotic and floral motifs with the letters "US"  on the obverse and a vining grape pattern. (Blade with some spotting and tarnish, shagreen wrap intact with some minor wear, wire intact with some minor looseness. Blade to hilt fit is tight).

[With:] Approx. 4 3/8 x 1 5/8 in. double-bordered first lieutenant of infantry shoulder straps (darkening to bullion, heavy wear and discoloration to velvet centers including some separation to one strap where velvet meets bullion). Straps feature gold bullion embroidered borders and rank devices, sky blue velvet centers, and fold-over cloth backs with open centers and visible stitching. Visible on the back of one strap is part of an ink inscription and part of an applied paper label.

[With:] Visor to crown 4 1/2 in. 1858 pattern blue wool felt forage cap, with tarred leather brim and chinstrap with 14 mm brass general service eagle buttons, leather sweatband, and brown cotton lining (very heavy mothing with losses, including a large hole near crown).

[With:] 3 1/4 x  2 in. officer's Model 1851 cast brass eagle belt plate with 1 1/4 in. wide tongue (some discoloration to brass throughout, features still rather crisp).

[Also With:] 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. CDV portrait of Charles Francis Liscomb on cardstock mount. Lebanon, NH: G.B. Billings, n.d. (some discoloration and spotting to lower portion of image and mount, with some soiling and light wear to mount edges and corners). Photographer's imprint on verso. Lipscomb stands wearing his full uniform including single-breasted 9-button frock coat, shoulder straps, and Hardee hat with infantry insignia and numeral "5" featured within the loop of the horn. 

[Also With:] Manuscript memorandum signed by Elisha P. Liscomb, detailing his experiences during the war as Allotment Commissioner for the state of New Hampshire, appointed by President Lincoln, including learning of the death of his son, Charles F. Liscomb, and witnessing the death of his nephew, Captain Daniel C. Buswell. 2 pp, 4to, 8 x 12 1/2 in., Creased, with wear to edges and creases. -- Note signed by Charles F. Liscomb to E.A. Dickinson, promising to reimburse him for an unknown "value received." "On the road to Richmond," 14 May 1862. Approx. 3 7/8 x 4 1/2 in. Note fully separated into 4 pieces of paper. -- Handwritten copy notice signed by Lt. Col. Richard. E. Cross announcing the death of Charles F. Liscomb. Headquarters, 5th Regiment NH Volunteers. 1p, 8vo, 5 x 8 in., creasing, few pinholes. Featuring ink stamp designating receipt by Second Auditor's Office Mail Room on 20 October 1887 to upper right corner. -- Handwritten obituary of Charles F. Liscomb. 1p, 8vo, 5 x 8 in., creasing. -- And 2 other items, including printed newspaper obituary of Elisha P. Liscomb and typewritten family synopsis by Russell P. Liscomb. -- Together, 6 manuscript and printed materials. 

[Also with:] CHILD, William. A History of the Fifth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, in the American Civil War, 1861-1865. N.p.: Wentworth Press, n.d. Reprint edition of the 1893 original. -- DOWNS, Charles Algernon. History of Lebanon, N.H., 1761-1887. N.p.: Wentworth Press, n.d. Reprint edition of the 1908 edition. 

Charles Francis Liscomb of Lebanon, NH enlisted at 18-years-old as a corporal on 21 August 1861, mustering into Company C of the 5 New Hampshire Infantry on 12 October 1861. He saw several promotions during his service: sergeant major (11 September 1862), 2nd lieutenant (1 October 1862), and finally to 1st lieutenant on 19 December 1862. The 5th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment was one of the most celebrated in the Civil War. They took part in most of the key engagements in the Eastern Theater, including the Seige of Yorkton, Antietam (where Liscomb was "slightly wounded), Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. Liscomb, however, did not see the close of the war as he died of disease on 6 January 1864 at Point Lookout, MD.