Clauberg Non-Regulation Staff & Field Officers Sword of Lt. Charles Lee - 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry

American Civil War

32.25" single edges spear point blade with a 19" stopped median fuller. 37.5" in overall length with a 5.5" hilt. Brass guard with knuckle bow and two branches a US and Lady Liberty in the face of the guard. Grooved wood grip covered in shagreen with 7 wraps of multi-strand wire and brass backstrap. Backstrap engraved Chas. N Lee. Reverse ricasso with CLAUBERG/SOLINGEN maker's mark and obverse ricasso brass PROVED disc. Blade etched with flowing foliate designs and patriotic and martial themes. The sword is accompanied by its silver washed scabbard with brass mounts. The scabbard is engraved 1861 on the obverse of the upper mount and 1865 on the middle mount. A long memorial commemoration of Lee's service is engraved between the mounts and starts with the corps badge of the 19th Corps and then reads: Chas. N. Lee/Lieut. Co. B 11TH REGT./INDIANA VOLS., this is followed by his battle honors: FT HENRY/FT DONELSON/SHILOH/SIEGE OF CORINTH/PORT GIBSON/CHAMPION HILLS/SIEGE OF VICKSBURG/JACKSON/LAKE TASSA/HALLTOWN/OPEQUAN/FISHERS HILL/CEDAR CREEK. The sword is accompanied by a binder of research about Lee.

Charles Lee enlisted in the 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a private on August 31, 1861 and was mustered into Company B that same day. He was promoted to Corporal on October 30, 1861, Sergeant on August 31, 1862, Quartermaster Sergeant on June 18, 1862, 1st Sergeant on May 20,1864. During this time he was in the field with the regiment fighting in the various battles memorialized on the scabbard. On February 1, 1864 he reenlisted in the regiment for the duration of the war. On May 1, 1864 he was promoted from the ranks to 2nd Lieutenant was further promoted to 1st Lieutenant on January 12, 1865 and finally 1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster on April 30, 1865. This non-regulation imported officers sword is one he would have been authorized to carry as a lieutenant with a staff position like quartermaster, and was likely purchased by him after attaining that rank. Lee subsequently had the sword and scabbard engraved to memorialize his service.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.