PRESENTATION SWORD OF MAJ. CHARLES P. CHANDLER, 1ST MASS. INFANTRY, “KILLED IN ACTION”, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS 3-VOLUME INSCRIBED INFANTRY TACTICS.

PRESENTATION SWORD OF MAJ. CHARLES P. CHANDLER, 1ST MASS. INFANTRY, “KILLED IN ACTION”, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS 3-VOLUME INSCRIBED INFANTRY TACTICS. This sword is featured on pp. 38-40 in Inscribed Union Swords 1861-1865, David V. Stroud. This sword is a fine example of an Ames model 1850 foot officer’s sword, even if it did not have such a wonderful history. Mr. Stroud describes this sword in his book as follows: “The sword carried by Major Chandler is a 1850 Foot Officers’ model with wood grips wrapped with sharkskin and one strand of twisted brass wire. The brass pommel is decorated with flower and leaf decoration and the counter-guard has the pierced floral design. The sword knot is secured to the knuckle-bow through the hole pierced near the pommel. The reverse side of the brass counter-guard is inscribed: ‘Maj. C.P. Chandler, Boston, Mass. / April, 1861’. The blade is etched on the obverse with floral motif, a shield and crossed cannons as well as a trumpet and a flag. There is an eagle with a Union Shield on its breast and a ribbon with the motto ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM.’ The reverse is etched with similar floral motif but the eagle is replaced with the letters ‘U.S.’ The ricasso is etched with ‘Ames Manufacturing Co. / Chicopee / Mass.’ in script. The scabbard is black leather with brass mounts. The top mount is inscribed on the obverse with the same inscription as the counter-guard while the reverse is marked ‘Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee / Mass.’ Charles P. Chandler was commissioned Major in the 1st Massachusetts Volunteers while it was organizing in May, 1861. The unit was recruited in Boston and was the subject of several newspaper articles which kept the public informed of military activity in their city. In the column describing the 1st Massachusetts field and staff officers, Major Chandler was described as ‘universally popular’ and the reporter believed he would ‘distinguish himself in his new capacity.’ Once the regiment was formed they moved to Washington, D.C. to help defend the capital. While moving from their quarters on Pennsylvania Avenue to Georgetown, Colonel Cowdin sent his adjutant to the President offering to give their commander-in-chief a passing salute: President Lincoln acknowledged the compliment, and returned an answer through his Private Secretary, Mr. Nicolay, that he would be happy to review the Massachusetts boys. The excellent order with which the regiment marched, their stalwart, healthy look, and their abundant and thorough material for transportation and camping, elicited the warmest praise of the President. He remarked to General Morse, of Massachusetts, that he thought it was the finest looking regiment and most thoroughly prepared for the service, that he had seen, if he might except Colonel Tappan’s New Hampshire Regiment, which seemed to be as well provided. The regiment is the first under the three years, requisition from Massachusetts. Before the crowd departed the President had his joke; and it was quite a significant one. Some one was speaking of the intense feeling of the Massachusetts people on the present question, that this regiment, so splendidly provided and sent forward, was but an evidence of the thoroughness with which the people of the State are determined to do their part in putting down the rebellion. The President, after complimenting the Old Bay State for the surprising promptness with which she responded to the first call, and the bravery with which her troops received and returned the first fire in the war, and the endurance and skill they exhibited in opening the great northern gateway to the Capital, and, ‘It is evident that the Massachusetts people have got riley and from what we just saw they appear to be coming down here to settle.’ This play upon words produced considerable merriment. The President took his leave, saying that he was very busy preparing for the assembling of Congress. The 1st Massachusetts became part of the Army of the Potomac and advanced on Manassas in July, 1861. After the Union defeat the regiment did not see significant action again until the siege of Yorktown. After Yorktown, the unit fought at Williamsburg, Fair Oakes, and Seven Pines. During the ‘Seven Days before Richmond’ Major Chandler was killed in action. His death occurred at the Battle of Nelson’s Farm, Virginia, on June 30, 1862. There was come confusion as to whether Chandler was killed, wounded, or captured in the fight. According to Colonel Robert Cowdin of the 1st Massachusetts, ‘Major Chandler and Lieutenant Sutherland were wounded and fell, and were probably taken prisoners.’ The action was also reported in the Boston newspaper: Letter From the Massachusetts First – A member of Co. G, Massachusetts First, writes the following letter to his brother in this city, under the date of James River, July 4th: ‘This is the roughest Fourth of July I ever experienced . . . The First went into the fight on the first of July only 300 strong, and made a charge upon the rebel regiments drawn up in line. They succeeded in forcing us back with a loss of seventy-five to one hundred killed, wounded and missing. We formed again and stood our ground. It was an awful sight. The ground we charged across was completely covered with rebels killed or wounded. They lay so close that we had to step upon them to get along. In this charge we lost our Major (Chandler), a fine man, and we miss him sorely. The soldier’s letter did not mention how Major Chandler was lost. In August, 1862, another letter was written which included the fate of the major. Chandler’s sister was informed by a settler who had met a surgeon of the 6th Maine that her brother was alive and a prisoner in Richmond. The letter added that he had two wounds, one in the arm and a more serious one in the thigh. Chandler’s record simply carried him as missing until August, 1864 when his status was changed to ‘killed at the Battle of Glendell, June 30, 1862.'” Sword still retains two partial sword mounts still attached to rings on scabbard. Maj. Chandler’s 3-volume Casey’s Infantry Tactics were obtained by him March, 1862 just three months before he was killed. All three volumes are beautifully inscribed & dated in frontis or inside cover in contemporary brown ink. These three books, as can be seen, are in excellent condition. Books are all complete & all fold out plates are intact. There is an orig photograph of Capt. Chandler holding this sword in the U.S. Army History Institute. Also included in this lot are a group of photocopied service records & a copy of David Stroud’s excellent limited edition book showing this sword. CONDITION: Sword is in excellent condition overall. Hilt & scabbard mounts retain 95% orig gilt. Leather scabbard body is fine retaining almost all its orig black finish, several scratches & scuffs & crazing occur on leather body. Sharkskin grip shows only minor wear to high spots. Gilt wire wrap is intact as is gilt sword knot. Blade is excellent, retaining almost all of its orig finish & frosting. This sword is as fine a specimen of an 1861 issued & used Ames foot officer’s sword that can be found. 4-56630 JS6 (12,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006

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
	124	$23,000.00	PRESENTATION SWORD OF MAJ. CHARLES P. CHANDLER, 1ST MASS. INFANTRY, “KILLED IN ACTION”, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS 3-VOLUME INSCRIBED INFANTRY TACTICS. This sword is featured on pp. 38-40 in Inscribed Union Swords 1861-1865, David V. Stroud. This sword is a fine example of an Ames model 1850 foot officer’s sword, even if it did not have such a wonderful history. Mr. Stroud describes this sword in his book as follows: “The sword carried by Major Chandler is a 1850 Foot Officers’ model with wood grips wrapped with sharkskin and one strand of twisted brass wire. The brass pommel is decorated with flower and leaf decoration and the counter-guard has the pierced floral design. The sword knot is secured to the knuckle-bow through the hole pierced near the pommel. The reverse side of the brass counter-guard is inscribed: ‘Maj. C.P. Chandler, Boston, Mass. / April, 1861’. The blade is etched on the obverse with floral motif, a shield and crossed cannons as well as a trumpet and a flag. There is an eagle with a Union Shield on its breast and a ribbon with the motto ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM.’ The reverse is etched with similar floral motif but the eagle is replaced with the letters ‘U.S.’ The ricasso is etched with ‘Ames Manufacturing Co. / Chicopee / Mass.’ in script. The scabbard is black leather with brass mounts. The top mount is inscribed on the obverse with the same inscription as the counter-guard while the reverse is marked ‘Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee / Mass.’ Charles P. Chandler was commissioned Major in the 1st Massachusetts Volunteers while it was organizing in May, 1861. The unit was recruited in Boston and was the subject of several newspaper articles which kept the public informed of military activity in their city. In the column describing the 1st Massachusetts field and staff officers, Major Chandler was described as ‘universally popular’ and the reporter believed he would ‘distinguish himself in his new capacity.’ Once the regiment was formed they moved to Washington, D.C. to help defend the capital. While moving from their quarters on Pennsylvania Avenue to Georgetown, Colonel Cowdin sent his adjutant to the President offering to give their commander-in-chief a passing salute: President Lincoln acknowledged the compliment, and returned an answer through his Private Secretary, Mr. Nicolay, that he would be happy to review the Massachusetts boys. The excellent order with which the regiment marched, their stalwart, healthy look, and their abundant and thorough material for transportation and camping, elicited the warmest praise of the President. He remarked to General Morse, of Massachusetts, that he thought it was the finest looking regiment and most thoroughly prepared for the service, that he had seen, if he might except Colonel Tappan’s New Hampshire Regiment, which seemed to be as well provided. The regiment is the first under the three years, requisition from Massachusetts. Before the crowd departed the President had his joke; and it was quite a significant one. Some one was speaking of the intense feeling of the Massachusetts people on the present question, that this regiment, so splendidly provided and sent forward, was but an evidence of the thoroughness with which the people of the State are determined to do their part in putting down the rebellion. The President, after complimenting the Old Bay State for the surprising promptness with which she responded to the first call, and the bravery with which her troops received and returned the first fire in the war, and the endurance and skill they exhibited in opening the great northern gateway to the Capital, and, ‘It is evident that the Massachusetts people have got riley and from what we just saw they appear to be coming down here to settle.’ This play upon words produced considerable merriment. The President took his leave, saying that he was very busy preparing for the assembling of Congress. The 1st Massachusetts became part of the Army of the Potomac and advanced on Manassas in July, 1861. After the Union defeat the regiment did not see significant action again until the siege of Yorktown. After Yorktown, the unit fought at Williamsburg, Fair Oakes, and Seven Pines. During the ‘Seven Days before Richmond’ Major Chandler was killed in action. His death occurred at the Battle of Nelson’s Farm, Virginia, on June 30, 1862. There was come confusion as to whether Chandler was killed, wounded, or captured in the fight. According to Colonel Robert Cowdin of the 1st Massachusetts, ‘Major Chandler and Lieutenant Sutherland were wounded and fell, and were probably taken prisoners.’ The action was also reported in the Boston newspaper: Letter From the Massachusetts First – A member of Co. G, Massachusetts First, writes the following letter to his brother in this city, under the date of James River, July 4th: ‘This is the roughest Fourth of July I ever experienced . . . The First went into the fight on the first of July only 300 strong, and made a charge upon the rebel regiments drawn up in line. They succeeded in forcing us back with a loss of seventy-five to one hundred killed, wounded and missing. We formed again and stood our ground. It was an awful sight. The ground we charged across was completely covered with rebels killed or wounded. They lay so close that we had to step upon them to get along. In this charge we lost our Major (Chandler), a fine man, and we miss him sorely. The soldier’s letter did not mention how Major Chandler was lost. In August, 1862, another letter was written which included the fate of the major. Chandler’s sister was informed by a settler who had met a surgeon of the 6th Maine that her brother was alive and a prisoner in Richmond. The letter added that he had two wounds, one in the arm and a more serious one in the thigh. Chandler’s record simply carried him as missing until August, 1864 when his status was changed to ‘killed at the Battle of Glendell, June 30, 1862.'” Sword still retains two partial sword mounts still attached to rings on scabbard. Maj. Chandler’s 3-volume Casey’s Infantry Tactics were obtained by him March, 1862 just three months before he was killed. All three volumes are beautifully inscribed & dated in frontis or inside cover in contemporary brown ink. These three books, as can be seen, are in excellent condition. Books are all complete & all fold out plates are intact. There is an orig photograph of Capt. Chandler holding this sword in the U.S. Army History Institute. Also included in this lot are a group of photocopied service records & a copy of David Stroud’s excellent limited edition book showing this sword. CONDITION: Sword is in excellent condition overall. Hilt & scabbard mounts retain 95% orig gilt. Leather scabbard body is fine retaining almost all its orig black finish, several scratches & scuffs & crazing occur on leather body. Sharkskin grip shows only minor wear to high spots. Gilt wire wrap is intact as is gilt sword knot. Blade is excellent, retaining almost all of its orig finish & frosting. This sword is as fine a specimen of an 1861 issued & used Ames foot officer’s sword that can be found. 4-56630 JS6 (12,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2006 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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