CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE OF GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN OF THE 69TH NEW YORK, FIGHTING IRISH.

CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE OF GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN OF THE 69TH NEW YORK, FIGHTING IRISH. This grouping consists of two high grade and unique Ames Staff Officer presentation swords to Gen. Michael Corcoran along with Tiffany Staff Officers sword to one of his staff. Along with swords are accompanying orig photographs of Michael Corcoran and lithographs including a woodcut of the presentation of these two swords before 600,000 people as Castle Garden, NY; August 22, 1862. Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran was born in County Sligo, Ireland; Sept. 21, 1821. He joined the Royal Irish Constabulary at 19 years old and became a dbl agent for a secret Irish society wanting the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. After Corcoran’s brief stay in the Royal Irish unit, he immigrated to New York and became a leader among his fellow Irishman and a member of the Tammany Hall political faction, he also began a lifelong involvement in the Fenian Movement dedicated to the overthrow of the British government in Ireland. He enlisted and quickly rose to command of the 69th Regiment New York State militia, a regiment composed of mostly Irish Catholics. In 1860, Col. Corcoran made his national reputation as the champion of the Irish in America, when on Oct. 11, 1860, President Buchanan invited the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII of England) to visit New York where a ball and military parade was given in his honor. Corcoran refused to order the 69th Regiment to march in the parade which honored “a sovereign under whose reign Ireland was made desert and her son’s forced into exile”. For this act of military disobedience he was placed under arrest by New York authorities and ordered court martialed. His subsequent trial created much excitement among America’s Irish. The case was pending when the Civil War broke out in April, 1861 with the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Due to the importance of Corcoran’s military abilities his proceedings were squashed and the 69th with their Col. at its head was one of the first units to march in defense of the Union. This band of officer’s and men would become the foundation of the greatest fighting unit in American military history, the “fighting 69th” a unit that would extend it’s history into WWI and WWII. The regiment now off to war would show their fighting spirit in the first major battle of the Civil War “Bull Run” on July 21st in a meadow, across the creek they met the fierce Louisiana Tigers and “under a most deadly fire assisted in breaking the enemies lines”. The 69th being led by Corcoran screaming their Gaelic battle cry of “Faugh A Ballagh”. Corcoran leading the charge was shot in the leg but stayed in command, two color bearers were killed. In all the 69th rallied and charged three times. Other Union troops in this part of the battle retreated, but the 69th held their ground until some escaped but the colors and Corcoran were captured. The unit suffered 192 killed, wounded and captured, and that day began the fateful day of the “fighting 69th”. Corcoran was imprisoned for 13 months, he was promoted to General in Absentia. He was finally exchanged in August 1862, his triumphant return from captivity brought a series of popular ovations and testimonials. In New York, over 600,000 people, the largest crowd in the city’s history attended the public celebration. Corcoran now was a national hero. Here Corcoran was presented both of these swords which in the inscriptions read “In Remembrance of the 11th of Oct. 1860 by the Irishmen of his unit”. Newspapers worldwide reported the events of this day. Corcoran when receiving the swords, in his acceptance speech stated “it is an American sword, the work of American art, the gift of American citizens, the weapon of an American solider”.His pictures being in major publications including several accompanying this grouping. Corcoran returned to the battlefield where he would die after being thrown from his horse on Dec. 22, 1863, but the fighting spirit of the 69th New York went on as it does today. The two swords presented to Corcoran both have Irish embellishments in additional to identical presentations which read “Presented to Col. M. Corcoran of the 69th Regt. N.Y. S.T. In Commemoration on the 11th of Oct. 1860”. One sword has the Irish harp replacing the US originally cast into hilt. This unique pattern was custom made for Corcoran where no other examples are known. The second sword is among the highest grade 1850 Ames Staff you will see with custom engraving. The large Panoply of Arms with an Irish harp emblazoned with four-leaf clovers in the middle panel with a large Liberty cap with rays above it. This sword is in almost new condition where Corcoran used it for dress as he is shown in an accompanying cdv wearing possibly this sword. The third sword in this group is a Tiffany Staff Officer’s sword with sharkskin scabbard with engraved mounts. Sword is inscribed on top of the guard “To James B. Kirker Brigade Quartermaster, Corcoran Legion”. PROVENANCE: Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: High grade Ames Staff sword with engraved scabbard retains 95% of its original gilt to hilt, pommel, scabbard and mounts. The screw is missing from the throat and is moved up 1/32″ where mount covers a portion of the engraved Ames mfg mark. Hilt, pommel and scabbard overall are smooth with scattered small scratches and worn areas in high places. 32″ blade is bright/white with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Etched panels are mostly bright with most of their original frosted backgrounds and easily discernible. Blade retains a protective buff leather washer. Sharkskin grip is complete as is tightly twisted gold gilted wire. The unique Ames Staff with Irish harp and guard is very good overall. 32″ blade is bright with old areas of cleaning which have removed the lustrous backgrounds of blade etch. The 16″ etched panels of patriotic and floral decoration are all discernible. German silver scabbard body has gilted brass mounts with overall red/chocolate patina with gold gilt present in protected areas. Hilt and pommel have matching red chocolate patina with about 20% of the original gold gilt present in protected areas. The white sharkskin grip is complete with twisted brass wire. There is a small separation where sharkskin comes together from shrinkage from age. Quartermaster sword is overall very good. 32″ blade is gray with scattered areas of staining and pitting. The 18″ etched panels are all discernible with characteristic Tiffany details. Blade maker is stamped on ricasso “Collins & Co Hartford, Conn 1862”. Engraved scabbard mounts have yellow brass patina as does hilt and pommel. Inscription on guard and engraved patterns are all easily discerned including the unusual 1-1/2″ eagle with swords and shield engraved on drag. Leather grip wrap is 98% complete with small chips seen at high areas with complete tight twisted brass wire. Accompanying 14″ x 11″ hand-colored woodcut of Corcoran charging at Bull Run; has good color, original frame with areas of foxing, acid burn and water staining. Three framed illustrated sheets from Harper’s and Leslie’s appear very good overall as archivally framed. There is an 8″ x 10″ image of unknown origin oro vintage on paper of General Corcoran which appears in very good condition in ornate 22″ x 20″ decorated gold and silver frame with scattered losses to gesso decoration on frame. Also accompanying is a cdv of Corcoran by Anthony of New York in dress uniform wearing dress sword on his side. Also accompanying is a clipped signature of Corcoran as Brig. Gen. Also included is a stereo card in good overall condition showing Gen. Corcoran’s monument. 4-46924 JS93 (135,000-155,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	2010	$0.00	CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE OF GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN OF THE 69TH NEW YORK, FIGHTING IRISH. This grouping consists of two high grade and unique Ames Staff Officer presentation swords to Gen. Michael Corcoran along with Tiffany Staff Officers sword to one of his staff. Along with swords are accompanying orig photographs of Michael Corcoran and lithographs including a woodcut of the presentation of these two swords before 600,000 people as Castle Garden, NY; August 22, 1862. Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran was born in County Sligo, Ireland; Sept. 21, 1821. He joined the Royal Irish Constabulary at 19 years old and became a dbl agent for a secret Irish society wanting the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. After Corcoran’s brief stay in the Royal Irish unit, he immigrated to New York and became a leader among his fellow Irishman and a member of the Tammany Hall political faction, he also began a lifelong involvement in the Fenian Movement dedicated to the overthrow of the British government in Ireland. He enlisted and quickly rose to command of the 69th Regiment New York State militia, a regiment composed of mostly Irish Catholics. In 1860, Col. Corcoran made his national reputation as the champion of the Irish in America, when on Oct. 11, 1860, President Buchanan invited the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII of England) to visit New York where a ball and military parade was given in his honor. Corcoran refused to order the 69th Regiment to march in the parade which honored “a sovereign under whose reign Ireland was made desert and her son’s forced into exile”. For this act of military disobedience he was placed under arrest by New York authorities and ordered court martialed. His subsequent trial created much excitement among America’s Irish. The case was pending when the Civil War broke out in April, 1861 with the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Due to the importance of Corcoran’s military abilities his proceedings were squashed and the 69th with their Col. at its head was one of the first units to march in defense of the Union. This band of officer’s and men would become the foundation of the greatest fighting unit in American military history, the “fighting 69th” a unit that would extend it’s history into WWI and WWII. The regiment now off to war would show their fighting spirit in the first major battle of the Civil War “Bull Run” on July 21st in a meadow, across the creek they met the fierce Louisiana Tigers and “under a most deadly fire assisted in breaking the enemies lines”. The 69th being led by Corcoran screaming their Gaelic battle cry of “Faugh A Ballagh”. Corcoran leading the charge was shot in the leg but stayed in command, two color bearers were killed. In all the 69th rallied and charged three times. Other Union troops in this part of the battle retreated, but the 69th held their ground until some escaped but the colors and Corcoran were captured. The unit suffered 192 killed, wounded and captured, and that day began the fateful day of the “fighting 69th”. Corcoran was imprisoned for 13 months, he was promoted to General in Absentia. He was finally exchanged in August 1862, his triumphant return from captivity brought a series of popular ovations and testimonials. In New York, over 600,000 people, the largest crowd in the city’s history attended the public celebration. Corcoran now was a national hero. Here Corcoran was presented both of these swords which in the inscriptions read “In Remembrance of the 11th of Oct. 1860 by the Irishmen of his unit”. Newspapers worldwide reported the events of this day. Corcoran when receiving the swords, in his acceptance speech stated “it is an American sword, the work of American art, the gift of American citizens, the weapon of an American solider”.His pictures being in major publications including several accompanying this grouping. Corcoran returned to the battlefield where he would die after being thrown from his horse on Dec. 22, 1863, but the fighting spirit of the 69th New York went on as it does today. The two swords presented to Corcoran both have Irish embellishments in additional to identical presentations which read “Presented to Col. M. Corcoran of the 69th Regt. N.Y. S.T. In Commemoration on the 11th of Oct. 1860”. One sword has the Irish harp replacing the US originally cast into hilt. This unique pattern was custom made for Corcoran where no other examples are known. The second sword is among the highest grade 1850 Ames Staff you will see with custom engraving. The large Panoply of Arms with an Irish harp emblazoned with four-leaf clovers in the middle panel with a large Liberty cap with rays above it. This sword is in almost new condition where Corcoran used it for dress as he is shown in an accompanying cdv wearing possibly this sword. The third sword in this group is a Tiffany Staff Officer’s sword with sharkskin scabbard with engraved mounts. Sword is inscribed on top of the guard “To James B. Kirker Brigade Quartermaster, Corcoran Legion”. PROVENANCE: Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: High grade Ames Staff sword with engraved scabbard retains 95% of its original gilt to hilt, pommel, scabbard and mounts. The screw is missing from the throat and is moved up 1/32″ where mount covers a portion of the engraved Ames mfg mark. Hilt, pommel and scabbard overall are smooth with scattered small scratches and worn areas in high places. 32″ blade is bright/white with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Etched panels are mostly bright with most of their original frosted backgrounds and easily discernible. Blade retains a protective buff leather washer. Sharkskin grip is complete as is tightly twisted gold gilted wire. The unique Ames Staff with Irish harp and guard is very good overall. 32″ blade is bright with old areas of cleaning which have removed the lustrous backgrounds of blade etch. The 16″ etched panels of patriotic and floral decoration are all discernible. German silver scabbard body has gilted brass mounts with overall red/chocolate patina with gold gilt present in protected areas. Hilt and pommel have matching red chocolate patina with about 20% of the original gold gilt present in protected areas. The white sharkskin grip is complete with twisted brass wire. There is a small separation where sharkskin comes together from shrinkage from age. Quartermaster sword is overall very good. 32″ blade is gray with scattered areas of staining and pitting. The 18″ etched panels are all discernible with characteristic Tiffany details. Blade maker is stamped on ricasso “Collins & Co Hartford, Conn 1862”. Engraved scabbard mounts have yellow brass patina as does hilt and pommel. Inscription on guard and engraved patterns are all easily discerned including the unusual 1-1/2″ eagle with swords and shield engraved on drag. Leather grip wrap is 98% complete with small chips seen at high areas with complete tight twisted brass wire. Accompanying 14″ x 11″ hand-colored woodcut of Corcoran charging at Bull Run; has good color, original frame with areas of foxing, acid burn and water staining. Three framed illustrated sheets from Harper’s and Leslie’s appear very good overall as archivally framed. There is an 8″ x 10″ image of unknown origin oro vintage on paper of General Corcoran which appears in very good condition in ornate 22″ x 20″ decorated gold and silver frame with scattered losses to gesso decoration on frame. Also accompanying is a cdv of Corcoran by Anthony of New York in dress uniform wearing dress sword on his side. Also accompanying is a clipped signature of Corcoran as Brig. Gen. Also included is a stereo card in good overall condition showing Gen. Corcoran’s monument. 4-46924 JS93 (135,000-155,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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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