[CIVIL WAR]. Ames light artillery cavalry saber dated 1864, cavalry sword belt, and documents belonging to Private Sidney Cole, Company G, 1st New York Dragoons.

34 3/4 in. curved, single-edged blade with 27 in. stopped median fuller. Overall length 40 1/2 in. (tarnish to blade). Pierced, cast brass guard with foliate design. Wire wrapped leather grip and domed pommel cap. Steel scabbard with two mounts and suspension rings (tarnish, surface wear to scabbard and mounts). Saber is stamped on the obverse ricasso of the blade, “U.S. / A.D.K. / 1864," the reverse ricasso stamped "Made by / Ames Mfg Co / Chicopee / Mass.” -- Buff cavalry sword belt with hangers (some surface wear, occasional spotting). -- Partially printed 1st New York Dragoons Company G muster out roll listing Sidney Cole, dated June 1865 (wear near fold lines, including few small holes/areas of separation). -- Cole's discharge from Federal service, 30 June 1865 (fold lines, edge and corner wear). -- Engraved Bureay of Pensions certificate dated July 1926, advising of an increase in Cole's US Army pension (fold lines, some surface residue). -- Accompanied by photocopies of Cole's personal records from the National Archives.

Sidney Cole was an 18-year-old teamster when he enlisted as a private on 12/30/1863 at Hornellsville, NY, and one day later, he mustered into the Unassigned NY Lincoln Cavalry. Cole was then transferred into Company G, 1st New York Dragoons on 2/8/1864. After the Dragoons marched in the Grand Review at Washington, DC, Cole mustered out on 6/30/1865 at Cloud's Mills, VA.

Originally assigned to the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, the Dragoons moved to the Army of the Shenandoah with General Philip Sheridan. During its term of service, the 1st New York Dragoons fought in 64 battles, including Cold Harbor, Trevilian Station, Opequon, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, and Appomattox Court House.

Property from the Civil War and Militaria Collection of George Sanders of Albuquerque, New Mexico