Arms, Armor and Militaria

31" slightly curved, single-edged blade with 21" stopped median fuller. 37" in overall length with a 6" hilt with a foliate gilt brass guard with a US in the face, a shagreen covered grooved wooden grip and 13 wraps of twisted wire. Obverse ricasso is marked Solingen in script, spine with oak leaf etching. Damascus patterned blade etched with rich flowing foliate patterns as well as patriotic and martial themes with gilt highlights. The sword is accompanied by its leather scabbard with gilt open work brass mounts, with the face of the upper mount engraved: Presented to/Capt. Wm Wood/by/his fellow citizens of Butler, NY/Sept. 1862. The sword is additionally accompanied by a leather sword belt, sword handing chains, a maroon silk sash, and a fine figured walnut presentation case with a dark blue velvet fitted interior. A binder of research and information about Wood is included with the archive.

William Wood was commissioned a captain in the 9th New York Heavy Artillery on August 24, 1862 as the commander of Company G. Like most of the early war "Heavies" the regiment was initially posted to the defenses of Washington DC. It remained there until the majority of the "Band Box" Heavy Artillery regiments were pulled from the defenses to provide additional manpower for Grant's Overland Campaign during the summer of 1864. The regiment fought at Cold Harbor in June where they suffered 148 casualties and subsequently at the initial assault on the defenses of Petersburg. The fought at Monocacy where they suffered an additional 305 casualties and then at 3rd Winchester on September 19 where they suffered 42 more. Three days later the regiment was engaged at Fisher's Hill. On September 28 Wood was promoted to the rank of major due primarily to attrition among the officers. The regiment fought at Cedar Creek on October 19, suffering another 208 casualties and returned temporarily to DC before returning to the trenches around Petersburg. In 1865 the regiment fought at the final fall of Petersburg, at Sailor's Creek and at Appomattox Court House before being consolidated with the 2nd NY Heavy Artillery on June 27 and then mustered out on July 6, 1865.