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Arms, Armor & Militaria
|
- Sale 1293
Live
| Cincinnati
Oct 24 | 10:00 AM EDT
Live
| Cincinnati
Sale 1293
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$2,000 – $4,000
34.5" single edged curved blade with slightly rounded spine and 26" stopped median fuller. Blade 1.08" wide at ricasso. Overall length 41" with a 6" hilt. Brass guard with two branches, knuckle bow and Phrygian helmet pommel cap. Grooved wood grip covered in leather and with twelve wraps of twisted wire. Obverse ricasso dated 1860, reverse ricasso with Ames "scroll" marking reading MADE BY/AMES MFG. CO./Chicopee. No inspection marks are present on the blade, pommel cap or scabbard drag. Reverse of knuckle bow is engraved in two lines: To Capt. L.F. Chapman Co E 28H Regt. PV by Col. J.W. Geary/At Edward's Ferry Oct. 22, 1861. The sword is accompanied by its lap seamed steel scabbard with two suspension rings. A large binder of information about Chapman and his service accompanies the sword.
Lansford Foster Chapman (1834-1863) was 26 years old when he joined the 28th PA Volunteer Infantry on June 25, 1861 and was commissioned the captain of Company E on July 6, 1861. The regiment was raised by Pennsylvania businessman, politician and Mexican War hero James W Geary. The regiment was initially assigned to George H Thomas' Brigade, Department of the Shenandoah and moved via Baltimore to Harpers Ferry. From there it went to Point of Rocks to guard the frontier from Nolan's Ferry to the Antietam Aqueduct. The first major combat for the regiment came at Thoroughfare Gap on April 2, 1862, although the regiment had been involved in some minor engagements prior to this, including some of operations in and around Loudon County in Northern Virginia. The regiment was reassigned to Bank's 5th Corps in March prior to the April fight and was reassigned to the 2nd Corps in June.
The summer saw the 28th PA involved in Pope's Northern Virginia Campaign, including fighting at 2nd Manassas. In September the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps Army of the Potomac and took part in the Maryland Campaign, fighting at Antietam where the regiment captured two guns and five flags, with a loss of 266 men. The regiment missed the fighting at Fredericksburg but partook in the infamous "Mud March" in January of 1863. On January 22, 1863 Chapman was promoted to major. The regiment fought at Chancellorsville during that campaign and was heavily involved along the Plank Road on May 1 and 2. On May 3, the line the 28th PA was part of was heavily attacked and started to retreat and the regiment was ordered to fall back as well. General Geary, their division commander and original colonel ordered them to retake the earthworks the regiment had abandoned the regiment tried to with multiple charges, with Major Chapman who was in command of the regiment leading the charges. On the third attempt Chapman was killed. His body was not recovered until after the war, by Geary himself.
A presentation sword of General Geary's, captured from the Mexicans at Chapultepec, is also included in this sale. The presentation on this sword appears to refer to some skirmishing that took place during their duty in around Edwards Ferry in part of the Ball's Bluff campaign. The fact that the sword is a commercial (not US military inspected) 1860 dated Ames Light Cavalry Saber suggests that this may have been part of the pre-war order of cavalry sabers by the state of Virginia from Ames. Thus, this sword was likely captured or recovered during the skirmishing and then presented by Colonel Geary to Captain Chapman after the event.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
Ms. Emma Fulmer
ATF Manager, Senior Coordinator, Arms, Armor & Militaria
Good. Blade with a dull steel patina and scattered surface oxidation showing freckled discoloration, some minor surface roughness and some lightly scattered pitting. Grip with most of the leather intact showing some moderate wear and some areas of minor loss. Wire essentially intact and tight. Throat washer in place. Brass with a rich, uncleaned patina. Scabbard with moderate amounts of scattered surface rust and surface wear.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
