Ames Model 1850 Foot Officers Sword Presented to Lt. Cornelius Batchelder - 12th Mass Infantry - WIA at Gettysburg

American Civil War

30.5" slightly curved, single edged spear point blade, 36.5" in overall length. 6" hilt with gilt brass guard, shagreen covered grooved wood grip and with fifteen wraps of twisted wire. Obverse of blade etched in three lines Ames Mfg. Co/Chicopee/Mass. Blade etched with flowing floral patterns, as well as patriotic and martial themes. Gilt brass mounted leather scabbard is Ames marked with an engraved upper mount that reads: Presented to/Lt. CORNELIUS BATCHELDER/12th Mass Infantry/as a token of esteem from his/comrades in arms the enlisted/men of Co. D/June 17th, 1863. The sword is accompanied by a large binder of research and information about Batchelder.

Cornelius Batchelder was a 27 year old currier when he enlisted as a sergeant in Company D of the 12th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on June 21, 1861. The 12th Mass was known as the "Webster Regiment" and served with distinction in most of the major battles in the Eastern Theater from Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862 through the initial assault on Petersburg from June 16-18 of 1864. The regiment took part in the battles of Second Manassas, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg in 1862. They started 1863 with the "Mud March". On March 9, 1863 Batchelder was promoted to 2nd lieutenant of his company. The regiment fought at Chancellorsville May 1-5, 1862
and Gettysburg July 1-3. Batchelder was wounded at Gettysburg on July 1, being shot in the thigh. His records additionally show that he was "in command of the company since August 23, 1863". On February 4, 1864 he was promoted to 1st lieutenant and his records seem to indicate that an additional request was made to make him captain of the company as he had spent most of the past few months in command of it. Batchelder mustered out with the rest of the regiment on July 8, 1864, having completed their three years of service.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.