Two Ames Presentation Swords to Lt. Henry Ward (Capt.) 57th Mass Infantry WIA at Antietam, Spotsylvania & Petersburg, POW Petersburg & Post-War General

American Civil War

1.) Ames US Model 1850 Foot Officer's Sword. 30" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade, 36" in overall length. 6" hilt with gilt brass guard, grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with thirteen wraps of twisted wire. Blade with barely legible Ames markings etched on obverse, and with flowing foliate, patriotic and martial themes etched on both sides. Includes a brass mounted steel scabbard with Ames markings on the reverse of the upper mount and engraved Presented to/Lieut. H.C. Ward/Co. G 57th Reg. M.V./by his Friends/Worcester, Mar. 28/1864.

2.) Ames US Model 1850 Foot Officer's Sword. 30.5" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade, 36.25" in overall length. 6" hilt with gilt brass guard, grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with fifteen wraps of multi-strand twisted wire. clear Ames etching on the obverse near the ricasso with the blade decorated with rich foliate scrolls, patriotic and martial themes. The sword is accompanied by its Ames marked engraved gilt brass scabbard with chased classically themed mounts. The obverse between the upper and middle mounts is engraved: Presented to Lieut./H.C. Ward/By the members/of Co. G 57th Mass Vet. Vols. April 1864. The sword is accompanied by an officer's gilt sword knot and a large binder of information about Ward, as well as a framed copy of an image of him.

Henry Clay Ward was an 18 year old mechanic when he enlisted as a private in Company D of the 15th Mass Infantry on July 21, 1861. He served with the 15th Mass through September 4, 1863 when he resigned. During that time he fought with the regiment through their campaigns, including the battles of Ball's Bluff, Siege of Yorktown, Seven Pines, the Seven Days, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill, all by July 1, 1862. The regiment fought at Antietam on September 16-17, 1862 and Ward was wounded during that battle. The regiment ended 1862 by fighting at Fredericksburg. In 1863, the regiment participated in the Mud March, the Chancellorsville Campaign, and saw additional fighting at Mayre's Heights, Salem Heights and Gettysburg.

During 1863 Ward was promoted to sergeant on February 26 and 2nd lieutenant of Company F on March 14. He resigned his commission on September 4, 1863. On March 9, 1864 he accepted a commission as a 1st lieutenant in Company G of the newly organized 57th Mass Infantry, which was officially mustered into service on April 6. Their first campaign was along the Rapidan River to the James River and they fought at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in May and Cold Harbor in June. At Spotsylvania Ward was wounded again. Mid-June saw the regiment before Petersburg, where Ward was wounded for the third time on June 17. The regiment was involved at the Battle of the Crater on July 30 and on July 31 he was promoted to Captain and transferred to Company K. The balance of the year was spent in and around Petersburg seeing siege duty and fighting minor actions at Weldon Railroad and Poplar Grove Church. On March 25, 1865 the regiment was part of the fighting to recapture Fort Steadman from the Confederates and Ward was captured during this action. He was exchanged on April 4. Ward was mustered out with the rest of the regiment on July 30, 1865. He entered Regular Army service after the war, serving from February 23, 1866 to October 30, 1905 and he retired as a Brigadier General. Ward fought during the Philippine Insurrection and was wounded for the fourth time during that service.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg