GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK’S CONFEDERATE CALVARY OFFICER’S SABER AND OTHER POLK FAMILY MEMORABILIA.

GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK’S CONFEDERATE CALVARY OFFICER’S SABER AND OTHER POLK FAMILY MEMORABILIA. This sword is the only identified Confederate General’s sword we know of to ever come to auction with family lineage. Sword and memorabilia listed here descended in the family of Michael Adamson from his mother, Mary Anthony Polk Adamson, with accompanying affidavit stating the sword has never been out of the family’s hands. This grouping contains several editions of Polk biographies, family pictures, pocket watch, and excavated ten-pound parrot projectile, believed fired from the spot of the Union Artillery position that killed General Polk. A couple letters from General Polk to his wife, one wartime, one prewar. Wartime letter from Confederate General William Hardee to Polk and wartime letter from Confederate General A.P. Stewart to Polk. There is also a letter written by Polk to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. General Polk’s sword is a Thomas, Griswold, New Orleans made cavalry officer’s saber. General Polk’s sword has a large hand engraved inscription between the two top scabbard mounts, which reads “PRESENTED TO GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK BY YOUR FRIEND, BISHOP STEPHEN ELLIOT, JANUARY 9, 1863”. General Leonidas Polk was the Episcopal Bishop from Louisiana while Stephen Elliot was the Episcopal Bishop of Georgia. CONDITION: Cavalry saber is excellent overall in as -found condition. Grip is excellent with scuffing and wear to the highs spots. Blade is gray. Marked on ricasso “TG & CO. N.O.”. Brass scabbard is excellent, showing scattered staining. Inventory of related family memorabilia is as follows: 1) A.L.S. Leonidas Polk to his wife Francis, dated May 27, 1864, two and one half pages. CONDITION: One quarter of the letter is torn away, not affecting text or signature. 2) A.L.S. Leonidas Polk to Jefferson Davis, dated August 29, 1861 on printed stationary “Headquarters Department No. 2, Memphis, Tenn.” The content of the letter is a recommendation for Albert Sidney Johnston to an appointment commanding the entire Western Army. CONDITION: Very good. Two oval engravings of Polk and Johnston have been glued to the letter below Polk’s signature. An early typed copy is included. 3) A.L.S. Major General Alex. P. Stewart to Leonidas Polk, Headquarters Fourth Brigade dated December 7, 1861, one page. Content is a request to retain certain companies in their current location in the field. CONDITION: Letter is mounted to a sheet of cardstock, accompanied by a typewritten copy. 4) A.L.S. Major General W.J. Hardee to Leonidas Polk, Headquarters Third Army Corps. dated May 13, 1862. Content requests Polk to send Dr. R.H. Taylor, surgeon, to join his regiment. CONDITION: Left margin of the letter is mounted to cardstock. Corners are frayed. Typewritten copy is included. 5) A.L.S. Alex. P. Stewart to Dr. J.C. Green, Westchester, PA on stationary printed “Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Commission” dated July 29, 1893. The content of the letter refers Dr. Green to the son of General Polk, Dr. D.M. Polk, in New York City. CONDITION: Excellent. 6) A.L.S. Leonidas Polk as Bishop of Louisiana to the Secretary of the Navy dated July 13, 1849. The content is a recommendation for the Reverend Jno. Buck to be appointed Chaplain in the US Navy. CONDITION: Very good. 7) Four carte de visite photographs of General Polk, two are early war bust views, one identified in period ink “Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk/C.S.A.” both published by E. & H.T. Anthony, New York. Another of the same view back marked “Bishop Polk C.S.A” and the fourth, a period engraving printed on the front face “Rt. Rev. Maj. Gen’l Polk. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1861, by M.B. Brady in the ___”. This back mark reads “Published by E. Anthony/501 Broadway,/New York./From/Photographic/Negative,/From/Brady’s National/Portrait Gallery”. A carte de visite image of President James K. Polk signed “Brady, New York, NY” on the front with an E. Anthony back mark CONDITION: All carte de visites are very good to excellent. 8) A pair of framed portraits, one an oval tinted albumen photograph of Francis Polk measuring 4” wide x 5-1/2” tall and a framed period engraving of General Polk all in period oval mats and gilt and gesso frames. CONDITION: Very good with light fading. Both frames are heavily chipped around the edges. 9) A framed period engraving being an oval portrait of Polk in uniform signed “Etched by Charles B. Hall, N.Y.” in a late 19th century velvet frame. CONDITION: Image is very good, frame is heavily worn. 10) The following is a list of books from the Polk family: one two-volume set Leonidas Polk; Bishop and General by William M. Polk, M.D., LL.D. (Longman’s Green & Co., New York, 1893). Leather bound with gold embossing and marble covers. CONDITION: Edges are worn. Light foxing throughout. Edges are dog-eared. A two-volume 1915 edition of the same work by the same publisher with linen covered board wraps, and another set of the 1915 edition that is leather bound and gold embossed. CONDITION: Very good. Leather bound set has loose and separated wraps. Other books include an 1861 Bible, an 1861 Hymn Book, and an 1856 Book of Common Prayer. CONDITION: These three smaller religious books are heavily used with tattered edges and worn wraps. 11) Fine quality officer’s dining utensil set, including an ivory handled folding knife, fork, and corkscrew, a silver-plated folding cup, all mounted in a folding leather case with brass button closure. CONDITION: Excellent. 12) A French, silver-cased pocket watch made by A. Robert Shiffer & Fils/Chaux de Fonde to which is attached a twisted human hair watch fob and key with 14K gold clasp. CONDITION: The watch case is worn from use. It is mechanically excellent. The watch fob is fine. 13) An 1863 dated state of Louisiana fifty-dollar currency note depicting the portrait of General Polk on the face. CONDITION: Very fine. 14) A cased pair of high quality, French made binoculars covered in brown leather. The eyepieces are nickeled silver and the body is covered in brown leather. The case is of soft brown leather with a blue cotton lining. CONDITION: Leather on the binocular body is worn and scuffed. The case lid has been repaired. Overall, very good. 15) Finally, this lot includes a 12-lb parrot shell excavated in the vicinity from which the fatal shell that killed General Polk was launched. CONDITION: The shell has been conserved but remains heavily pitted and oxidized. General Polk was born on April 10, 1806 in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of West Point in the Class of 1827, he resigned his commission several months after receiving it to enter the ministry in the Episcopal Church. Being an excellent preacher and clergyman, he was elected Bishop of Louisiana in 1841 and was ordained by his close friend and colleague the Right Reverend Stephen Elliott, who was the first bishop of Georgia. Elliott (born 1806, died 1916), a graduate of Harvard Law School and the bishop of Georgia, is named as the presenter of this magnificent Confederate sword. Polk, a friend of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, was persuaded to join the Confederate army in July of 1861. Commissioned as a Major General, he was assigned to oversee the fortification of the Mississippi River. He later commanded a Corps under General Albert Sidney Johnston. He fought bravely at Shiloh and Corinth and was promoted to command the Army of the Mississippi when Jefferson Davis reorganized his command in the west. Serving under Lieutenant General Braxton Bragg, Polk led his army at Perryville, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. Polk proved to be a rather unsuccessful strategist at Chickamauga and General Bragg instituted a Court marshal against him. Politically strong, with friendships in Richmond, Polk successfully avoided prosecution and his Army of the Mississippi moved to North Georgia to help protect Atlanta. On June 14, 1864, during a conference with Confederate Generals Joseph Johnston and William Hardee, he was killed outright by an artillery projectile. 4-55779, 4-56159 CW31 (75,000-175,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2072	$77,625.00	GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK’S CONFEDERATE CALVARY OFFICER’S SABER AND OTHER POLK FAMILY MEMORABILIA. This sword is the only identified Confederate General’s sword we know of to ever come to auction with family lineage. Sword and memorabilia listed here descended in the family of Michael Adamson from his mother, Mary Anthony Polk Adamson, with accompanying affidavit stating the sword has never been out of the family’s hands. This grouping contains several editions of Polk biographies, family pictures, pocket watch, and excavated ten-pound parrot projectile, believed fired from the spot of the Union Artillery position that killed General Polk. A couple letters from General Polk to his wife, one wartime, one prewar. Wartime letter from Confederate General William Hardee to Polk and wartime letter from Confederate General A.P. Stewart to Polk. There is also a letter written by Polk to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. General Polk’s sword is a Thomas, Griswold, New Orleans made cavalry officer’s saber. General Polk’s sword has a large hand engraved inscription between the two top scabbard mounts, which reads “PRESENTED TO GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK BY YOUR FRIEND, BISHOP STEPHEN ELLIOT, JANUARY 9, 1863”. General Leonidas Polk was the Episcopal Bishop from Louisiana while Stephen Elliot was the Episcopal Bishop of Georgia. CONDITION: Cavalry saber is excellent overall in as -found condition. Grip is excellent with scuffing and wear to the highs spots. Blade is gray. Marked on ricasso “TG & CO. N.O.”. Brass scabbard is excellent, showing scattered staining. Inventory of related family memorabilia is as follows: 1) A.L.S. Leonidas Polk to his wife Francis, dated May 27, 1864, two and one half pages. CONDITION: One quarter of the letter is torn away, not affecting text or signature. 2) A.L.S. Leonidas Polk to Jefferson Davis, dated August 29, 1861 on printed stationary “Headquarters Department No. 2, Memphis, Tenn.” The content of the letter is a recommendation for Albert Sidney Johnston to an appointment commanding the entire Western Army. CONDITION: Very good. Two oval engravings of Polk and Johnston have been glued to the letter below Polk’s signature. An early typed copy is included. 3) A.L.S. Major General Alex. P. Stewart to Leonidas Polk, Headquarters Fourth Brigade dated December 7, 1861, one page. Content is a request to retain certain companies in their current location in the field. CONDITION: Letter is mounted to a sheet of cardstock, accompanied by a typewritten copy. 4) A.L.S. Major General W.J. Hardee to Leonidas Polk, Headquarters Third Army Corps. dated May 13, 1862. Content requests Polk to send Dr. R.H. Taylor, surgeon, to join his regiment. CONDITION: Left margin of the letter is mounted to cardstock. Corners are frayed. Typewritten copy is included. 5) A.L.S. Alex. P. Stewart to Dr. J.C. Green, Westchester, PA on stationary printed “Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Commission” dated July 29, 1893. The content of the letter refers Dr. Green to the son of General Polk, Dr. D.M. Polk, in New York City. CONDITION: Excellent. 6) A.L.S. Leonidas Polk as Bishop of Louisiana to the Secretary of the Navy dated July 13, 1849. The content is a recommendation for the Reverend Jno. Buck to be appointed Chaplain in the US Navy. CONDITION: Very good. 7) Four carte de visite photographs of General Polk, two are early war bust views, one identified in period ink “Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk/C.S.A.” both published by E. & H.T. Anthony, New York. Another of the same view back marked “Bishop Polk C.S.A” and the fourth, a period engraving printed on the front face “Rt. Rev. Maj. Gen’l Polk. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1861, by M.B. Brady in the ___”. This back mark reads “Published by E. Anthony/501 Broadway,/New York./From/Photographic/Negative,/From/Brady’s National/Portrait Gallery”. A carte de visite image of President James K. Polk signed “Brady, New York, NY” on the front with an E. Anthony back mark CONDITION: All carte de visites are very good to excellent. 8) A pair of framed portraits, one an oval tinted albumen photograph of Francis Polk measuring 4” wide x 5-1/2” tall and a framed period engraving of General Polk all in period oval mats and gilt and gesso frames. CONDITION: Very good with light fading. Both frames are heavily chipped around the edges. 9) A framed period engraving being an oval portrait of Polk in uniform signed “Etched by Charles B. Hall, N.Y.” in a late 19th century velvet frame. CONDITION: Image is very good, frame is heavily worn. 10) The following is a list of books from the Polk family: one two-volume set Leonidas Polk; Bishop and General by William M. Polk, M.D., LL.D. (Longman’s Green & Co., New York, 1893). Leather bound with gold embossing and marble covers. CONDITION: Edges are worn. Light foxing throughout. Edges are dog-eared. A two-volume 1915 edition of the same work by the same publisher with linen covered board wraps, and another set of the 1915 edition that is leather bound and gold embossed. CONDITION: Very good. Leather bound set has loose and separated wraps. Other books include an 1861 Bible, an 1861 Hymn Book, and an 1856 Book of Common Prayer. CONDITION: These three smaller religious books are heavily used with tattered edges and worn wraps. 11) Fine quality officer’s dining utensil set, including an ivory handled folding knife, fork, and corkscrew, a silver-plated folding cup, all mounted in a folding leather case with brass button closure. CONDITION: Excellent. 12) A French, silver-cased pocket watch made by A. Robert Shiffer & Fils/Chaux de Fonde to which is attached a twisted human hair watch fob and key with 14K gold clasp. CONDITION: The watch case is worn from use. It is mechanically excellent. The watch fob is fine. 13) An 1863 dated state of Louisiana fifty-dollar currency note depicting the portrait of General Polk on the face. CONDITION: Very fine. 14) A cased pair of high quality, French made binoculars covered in brown leather. The eyepieces are nickeled silver and the body is covered in brown leather. The case is of soft brown leather with a blue cotton lining. CONDITION: Leather on the binocular body is worn and scuffed. The case lid has been repaired. Overall, very good. 15) Finally, this lot includes a 12-lb parrot shell excavated in the vicinity from which the fatal shell that killed General Polk was launched. CONDITION: The shell has been conserved but remains heavily pitted and oxidized. General Polk was born on April 10, 1806 in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of West Point in the Class of 1827, he resigned his commission several months after receiving it to enter the ministry in the Episcopal Church. Being an excellent preacher and clergyman, he was elected Bishop of Louisiana in 1841 and was ordained by his close friend and colleague the Right Reverend Stephen Elliott, who was the first bishop of Georgia. Elliott (born 1806, died 1916), a graduate of Harvard Law School and the bishop of Georgia, is named as the presenter of this magnificent Confederate sword. Polk, a friend of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, was persuaded to join the Confederate army in July of 1861. Commissioned as a Major General, he was assigned to oversee the fortification of the Mississippi River. He later commanded a Corps under General Albert Sidney Johnston. He fought bravely at Shiloh and Corinth and was promoted to command the Army of the Mississippi when Jefferson Davis reorganized his command in the west. Serving under Lieutenant General Braxton Bragg, Polk led his army at Perryville, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. Polk proved to be a rather unsuccessful strategist at Chickamauga and General Bragg instituted a Court marshal against him. Politically strong, with friendships in Richmond, Polk successfully avoided prosecution and his Army of the Mississippi moved to North Georgia to help protect Atlanta. On June 14, 1864, during a conference with Confederate Generals Joseph Johnston and William Hardee, he was killed outright by an artillery projectile. 4-55779, 4-56159 CW31 (75,000-175,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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