Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth Presentation Sword and Archive

Lot 116

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6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

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American History

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 10, 2016 - Jun 11, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-06-10 10:00:00 2016-06-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-1497 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth Presentation Sword and Archive

Lot of 52 items related to Elmer Ellsworth, the first Union Officer killed in the Civil War, featuring an exceedingly important presentation Model 1850 Officer's Sword with inscription on the face of the top hanger, Presented by Infantry Corps Duquesne Greys, Pittsburg, PA. To Col. E.E. Ellsworth of the U.S. Zouave Cadets, Chicago, Ills., Aug 5th 1860. Front brass hanger inscribed, Testimonial for Matchless Proficiency in Military Science. The finely etched blade is in very good condition and is a Solingen import marked, T.F. Eickhorn and William Sohn. Allegedly the blade was made for exhibition at the World's Fair in London in 1851 where Major Joseph Dickson of Pittsburgh, PA purchased it.

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth was one of the most famous individuals of his day. He was a member of the 11th New York Regiment, the originator of the Zouave uniform and drill, and a close friend of Abraham Lincoln. Lieutenant R. Biddle Roberts of the Duquesne Greys presented the sword offered in the lot to Ellsworth, on behalf of his company. Roberts made a public address followed by an acceptance speech by Ellsworth. In celebration, Ellsworth's unit shouted a rousing cheer of: One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Tiger! Zouave!

Later, Ellsworth was immortalized after Southern secessionists raised the Rebel flag over the Marshall house located in Alexandria, VA on May 24, 1861. Ellsworth led a detachment to take down the enemy colors hoisted over the Marshall house. After retrieving it, James W. Jackson blasted Ellsworth with his shotgun, killing the Colonel. The loss angered and saddened the northern contingent and contributed to growing pro-war sentiments. Colonel Ellsworth was laid to rest at the Capitol Rotunda. Abraham Lincoln personally attended his funeral.

Additional items relating to Ellsworth include:

A ca 9 in. piece of wood with label inscribed in pen stating, the flag pole top which held the rebel flag and was brought to Boston by S. Dick. Period note attached reads, The top of the pole to which the Rebel Flag which was still floating from the Marshall House Alexandria, Virginia which caused Elmer Ellsworth his life being shot at by Jackson the keeper of the house after Col. Ellsworth took it down. Brought from Alexandria June 30th 1880 to Boston, Mass by S. Dick.

Red, white, and blue pieces of a flag, approx. 3 x 4 in., accompanied by a letter signed by Captain Patrick R. Hall identifying the flag fragments as follows: Portions of the secession flag captured by Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth and in his possession when assassinated at the Marshall House, Alexandria, VA by James W. Jackson May 24 '61. This is no "humbro" as we had the whole flag in office. It was hung up in the hall of the Fire Dept in New York City. Wm C. Wickham an act of our president of the fire dept and he had the flag. Capt P. Hall. Officer of Howland D. Aspinnall. Framed together with illustrated cover, 19.5 x 17.5 in. overall.

Albumen photograph, 7 x 8.75 in., on mount with J. Gurney & Son, NY blindstamp at bottom, with applied paper label on verso, Arms and Trophy Department NY. Metropolitan Fair. South-west Corner, Ellsworth Memorial. In comparing the presentation sword offered in this archive with the sword displayed directly below Ellsworth's portrait in the photograph, it has been suggested that this could be the same sword; however, this cannot be confirmed.

Lithograph, Assassination of Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth by James W. Jackson at the Marshall House, Alexandria, VA May 24th 1861, produced by E.G & E.C. Kellogg, Hartford, CT, and published by George Whiting, New York. 9.5 x 13 in. (sight), framed, 17.5 x 21.5 in.

Lithograph, Death of Col. Ellsworth After Hauling Down the Rebel Flag, at the Taking of Alexandria, VA, May 21 1861. Published by Currier and Ives, NY. 10 x 12.5 in. (sight), framed, 16.25 x 20.25 in.

A group of 4 CDVs of Ellsworth, including views published by Brady/Anthony, Gurney, and Bufford, and an unmounted albumen portrait. Plus, 2 CDVs purportedly showing Ellsworth's avenger, Lt. Francis E. Brownell, one of which is pasted to an 1894 newspaper article announcing his death.

Two training manuals written by Ellsworth, including Manual of Arms Arranged for the U.S. Zoauve Cadets, published in 1859 while Ellsworth was Paymaster General of Illinois State Militia, 150pp, 32mo with brown leather covers; and Zouave Drill Manual of Arms by Col. E.E. Ellsworth / Regimental Regulations, By-Laws, Etc., or, Manual of Arms for the Light Infantry, Adapted to the Rifled Musket, with or without the priming attachment., published 1861 in Chicago by P.T. Sherlock, 192pp, 32mo with brown buckram covers.

Letter from E.L. Bullan, Washington 26, July 1861, addressed to Ch. Hughes, concerning Ellsworth's Regiment. 6.5 x 6.5 in. (sight), framed, 14.75 x 14.75 in.

Muster Roll for Zouave cadets taken at the Chicago Board of Trade Battery in 1862.

Period pencil sketch, 8 in. x 9.5 in. by Colonel E.E. Ellsworth in 1857 of two soldiers.

Engraving, 9.75 in. X 6.5 in., of Ellsworth.

Telegraph Bulletin dated May 24, 1861 with headline title, Was Commenced. Alexandria in Possession of Federal Troops. Col Ellsworth Killed!

Several related handbills including: Assassination of Colonel Ellsworth at Alexandria, VA May 24th 1861, with a related poem; Death of Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth by James D. Gay - Ringgold Artillery with a poem to be recited to the cadence of Auld Lang Syne; Ellsworth's Body Lies Mouldering in the Grave (air - Brothers will you meet me.); Ellsworth, The Gallant Zouave with a related poem immediately following; Ellsworth Avengers with related poem that follows; Ellsworth's Body Lied Mouldering in the Grave with poem that follows; Ellsworth Requiem, with related poem that follows.

Stationery imprinted with Ellsworth's profile and name plus 32 unused patriotic covers - all with Ellsworth related themes and imprints.

Letter signed by E. Bromwell, dated 1867, which was written from Court Martial Room Jefferson Barracks, Mo. January 15th 1868. The letter reads: I do certify that I have been in attendance and sucessfully(?) employed as Judge Advocate, at a General Court Martial convened Jefferson Barracks, MO by special Order No. 84 FD Mo Dept of the Mo. December 8th 1867 - from the 8th day of January 1868 to the 15th day of January 1868 both days inclusive. From E. Bromwell Judge Advocate.

Cincinnati Enquirer letter dated November 9th, 1912, which reads Cincinnati Enquirer Gentlemen, By special despatch [sic] to the Enquirer dated Chicago Nov 3rd. Having the paper forwarded to me. I see it stated there was only one of the provisions of the famous Ellsworth's Zouaves now living and a reunion was of the past. That Charles W. Spear was under the impression he was sole survivor and in all possibility would hold a reunion with himself in the lobby of the Grand Pacific Hotel the following evening, he will be laboring under a great mistake and is correct in his conception, there may be but a few of us remains - I have the distinguished honor of being one of the original active members mustered in at its organization, drilled from first to last - and on the 50th reunion received the usual notice - as the breaking out of the Civil War. Enlisted in the Chicago Board of Trade Battery at its close. Moved to Pittsburgh, PA now residing in California. I am 77 years of age having been blessed with fine health which I am now enjoying.

A related newspaper clipping from Pittsburgh newspaper dated September 14, 1902. Newspaper article entitled Battle Stories of the Civil War newspaper. New York Daily Tribune article dated Sunday May 26, 1861 featuring front page story, The Taking of Alexandria Full Details of the Movement. Tearing Down the Rebel Flag. The Murder of Col. Ellsworth. Minute and Accurate Account, with a 9.5 x 5 in. portrait of Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth. Newspaper article entitled, Ellsworth Zouave's Golden Jubilee; Laureled Heroes of Fifty Years Ago, with pictures of Col. Ellsworth and a image of the Last Picture of a Group of the Ellsworth Zouaves taken in 1882.

United States Zouave Cadets invitation for a 50th Anniversary of Ellsworth's Zouave Unit.

Man at Arms article April 1996 issue. Volume 18, number two featuring this sword in its "Roll of Honor" section.

A certificate from the Department of Pennsylvania Grand Army of the Republic for Comrade Charles Holyland Post 162. Charles Holyland was an Ellsworth avenger.

Harper's Weekly Journal dated May 11, 1861 with front page article entitled, Colonel Ellsworth of the Fire Zouaves. This article also has an image of Ellsworth.

Seven pieces of sheet music: Tribute to Col. Ellsworth Brave Men Behold Your Fallen Chief, Col Ellsworth's Funeral March, A Requiem in Memory of Ellsworth Composed by George William Warren, The United States Zouave Cadets, Ellsworth's Avengers Song and Chorus, Song of the Ellsworth Avengers Melody: "Annie Lisle," and Tribute to Ellsworth Brave Men Behold Your Fallen Chief.

Provenance: John J. Malloy to Norm Flayderman to Private Collector and sold June 26, 2005 at Little John's Auctions

Condition

The sword's gilded mounts show strong amounts of gilt thinning. The scabbard retains a fair amount of the original brown with light surface erosion and has light pitting. Shagreen grips are in very good condition with some wear and bullion wire is intact. Very good plus.
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