Non-Regulation Officer's Sword Presented to Lt. Charles J. Murphy - 38th New York Infantry - POW at Bull Run and Medal of Honor Recipient

American Civil War

30.5" slightly curved, single-edged spear point blade with a 23" stopped median fuller. 5.25" hilt with brass three-branch guard and knuckle bow, chiseled backstrap and floral motif pommel cap. Grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with 7 wraps of multi-strand wire. Blade decorated with flowing etched floral and marital motifs. Brass scabbard with steel drag is engraved on the obverse between the mounts, Presented to Lieut. C.J. Murphy,/by his friends/1861 and on the reverse Siege of/Yorktown/Bull Run/Fair Oaks/Gaines Mills/Goldings Farm/Peach Orchard/Savage Station/White Oak Swamp/Glendale/Malvern Hill. A sword knot is attached to the hilt. The list of battle honors which Murphy does not appear to have been present for, having been discharged in November of 1861, is somewhat disconcerting. Two large binders of research about Murphy accompanies the sword.

Charles Joseph Murphy (1832-1921) was born in Stockport, England and subsequently emigrated to the United States. He was 29 years old when he joined the 38th New York Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant on June 3, 1861 in Company A. On June 8 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Quartermaster and on July 4 he was transferred from Company A to the Field & Staff. On July 21, at the Battle of Bull Run, Murphy would earn the Congressional Medal of Honor and also become a prisoner of war. His citation reads: "Took a rifle and voluntarily fought with his regiment in the ranks; when the regiment was forced back, voluntarily remained on the field caring for the wounded and there taken prisoner." Murphy was confined at Libby Prison in Richmond. Murphy escaped and returned to Union lines, but due to the harshness of his confinement and the tribulations of his escape, was bothered by health issues for the rest of his life. He applied for a disability pension as the result of a "nervous disorder" due to these hardships. He was discharged from the army on November 5, 1861. He had an illustrious post war career as the Minister to Belgium from the state of Iowa and was credited with the introduction of "Indian Corn" (maize) to Europe as a form of food to reduce starvation.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.