The Mexican American War Knight's Pommel Presentation Sword of Capt. Joseph A. Yard - 10th US Infantry

Mexican American War

31.25" straight, single-edged spear point blade with a 27.5" narrow median fuller. Blade 1.06" wide at ricasso and sword with an overall length of 38". 6.75" gilt brass hilt with Knight's Head pommel, 5" cross guard with chased martial themes, silver hexagonal grip engraved with patriotic and martial themes. Gilt brass chain knuckle bow. Etched blade with floral, martial and patriotic themes and the script Ames address in a scroll on the obverse. Gilt brass scabbard with double suspension rings on the upper mount and a single ring on the middle mount has decorative engraving at the throat and drag and chased mounts with floral motifs. The scabbard engraved with a presentation in a panel between the two mounts on the obverse: Presented to Capt. Joseph A Yard by the Non-Com Off'rs and Privates/of 10th U.S. Infantry, As a token of their high regard for his Officer like conduct/and his humanity virtue and uniform kindness to his men which justly entitles/him to be called the Father of his Company and the Soldiers friend./August 22, 1848. The sword is accompanied by a large binder of research regarding Yard and copies of his service records. Included are copies of images of Yard with this sword, as well as a copies of newspaper accounts regarding its presentation to Yard.

Joseph Ashton Yard (1802-1878) was from Trenton, NJ and although he initially studied medicine ended up taking over his father's carpentry business. In 1835 he sold the business and was appointed the Director of the NJ State Prison, a position he held through 1840. From 1843-1846 he owned and managed the Trenton Emporium & True American newspaper. He served as a US Custom's House inspector in New York from 1845-1846 and also returned to acting as the Director of the NJ State Prison during the same time. With the outbreak of the Mexican American War he was commissioned a captain in the 10th US Infantry, commanding Company G. The regiment was stationed in Matamoros, Mexico and all of their casualties were due to Yellow Fever and dysentery. After the war Yard returned to his Custom House duties in 1848 and 1849. He was elected a New York assemblyman and served from 1849-1850 and then as Warden of the Albany Prison from 1850-1852. He returned to the Custom's House again from 1855-1861. During the Civil War he served as the Captain of Company A of the 3rd NJ Militia. Yard died in 1878.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.