Arms, Armor and Militaria

32.25" single-edged spear point blade, 37.75" in overall length. 5.5" gilt brass hilt with grooved wooded grip with restored shagreen cover and twisted wire. Blade cleaned and unmarked without etching. Ames marked gilt brass mounted blued steel scabbard with inscribed upper mount that reads: Presented by the/W.B.B.C./To our brother member/Maj. Jos. Colburn/of the Mass 59th Vetrns. The sword is accompanied by a CDV of Colburn and a large binder of information and research about Colburn.

Joseph Colburn (1831-1900) was a 29 year old merchant from Roxbury when he was commissioned as a 1st lieutenant in Company E of the 13th Mass Infantry on July 16, 1861. The regiment spent most of its first year of service from mustering to August of 1862 with various companies detached on outpost and picket duty in a variety of locations in and around the Northern Virginia, Maryland and Shenandoah Valley area. During this time they were engaged in a variety of skirmishes and minor actions. Their first major fighting came at Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862 and then they participated in Pope's Campaign that included Thoroughfare Gap and culminated at 2nd Manassas on August 30. At that action Colburn was wounded, receiving a gunshot wound. The regiment then fought in the Maryland Campaign, including South Mountain and Antietam. 1863 started for the 13th with the Mud March. On February 2, 1863 Colburn was promoted to captain of Company E. 1863 saw the regiment engaged at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, followed by the Bristoe Campaign.

On October 5, 1863 he was discharged for promotion and was commissioned a major in the staff & field of the 59th Mass Infantry. This late war regiment began organization at the end of 1863 and was officially mustered between January and April of 1864. The regiment fought at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, and then Cold Harbor during the Overland Campaign before moving to the Siege of Petersburg. Colburn was wounded before Petersburg on June 17. The regiment was at the Battle of the Crater after the Mine Explosion at the end of July and saw additional action during the campaign at Weldon Railroad and Peeble's Farm that summer and fall. On August 4, 1864 Coburn was promoted to Lt. Colonel, and three weeks later was promoted to full Colonel on the 22nd. The regiment fought at the recapture of Fort Steadman in March of 1865 and then participated in the Appomattox Campaign. Colburn was discharged for disability on April 28, 1865 and died in Denver, CO on March 29, 1900.