PRESENTATION CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER of 2ND MAINE OFFICER IN RED RIVER CAMPAIGN.

PRESENTATION CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER of 2ND MAINE OFFICER IN RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. This is a beautiful Clauberg imported cavalry officer’s saber with silver grip and inscribed on scabbard “Capt. J. H. Roberts by the Members of Co. M 2nd Me Cavl. as a token of Respect & Esteem”. Captain Roberts was commissioned in the 2nd Maine Cavalry January 2, 1864. He was originally in the 8th Maine Infantry from September 7, 1861 but transferred to the cavalry for service in the deep South, Louisiana and Florida. The 2nd Maine cavalry was assigned to the Department of the Gulf and arrived in five detachments at New Orleans, during April, 1864. Companies A and D, and a part of G, the first to arrive, were at once ordered to Alexandria, La. and assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, to participate in the Red River expedition. They took part in the engagements at Cherryville cross-roads Marksville, Avoyelles prairie and Yellow Bayou, and rejoined the main body of the regiment at Thibodeaux on June 1. In August the regiment went to Pensacola, Fla., arriving on the 11th, and encamped near Barrancas. During the balance of this year it was engaged in fatigue duty, and participated in raids to Marianna, Fla., and Pollard, Ala. In each of these raids severe damage was inflicted on the enemy, many prisoners and large quantities of stores being captured. In the raid to Pollard, four distinct battles were fought, but Lieut.-Col. Spurling, on whom the command of the expedition had devolved, succeeded in conducting his command, encumbered with a train of 50 wagons, 60 miles through the enemy’s country, attacked constantly on front, rear and flanks by a superior force. The regiment suffered much during the summer of 1864, from sickness, induced by a sudden change in the excessive heat of southern Louisiana. At one time only 450 were able to report for duty, and during the year the regiment lost by deaths one officer and 278 enlisted men. On Feb. 23, 1865, Lieut. Col. Spurling with 300 men routed the enemy at Milton, Fla. The regiment joined Gen. Steele’s command at Pensacola on March 19, and participated in the campaign which resulted in the capture of Mobile, and opened up the State of Alabama to the Union forces. The regiment rendered highly efficient service, captured many prisoners, destroyed much railroad and other property, frequently engaged the enemy, and opened communication with Gen. Canby, who was besieging Spanish Fort. After the fall of Mobile, a detachment of the regiment accompanied the 16th corps on a 200-mile march to Montgomery, Ala. In Aug., 1865, detachments of the regiment were stationed at various points in western Florida to preserve the peace. On Dec. 1, it was concentrated at Barrancas, and was mustered out on the 6th, though 25 officers and 116 men remained in Florida, and 14 officers and 500 enlisted men returned to Augusta, where they were finally paid and discharged. PROVENANCE: Accompanied by a folder of information on Roberts and the 2nd and 8th Maine. CONDITION: Overall this sword is in very good to fine condition with good blade etch as can be seen in pictures. Spiral silver-plated grip retains orig twisted wire wrap with some wear though 95% of silver wash is retained. Orig protective red felt washer is present. Scabbard retains much of it’s silver-plate and scabbard mounts and hilt retain strong traces of gold wash. 4-44176 JS (5,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

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
	2216A	$6,037.50	PRESENTATION CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER of 2ND MAINE OFFICER IN RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. This is a beautiful Clauberg imported cavalry officer’s saber with silver grip and inscribed on scabbard “Capt. J. H. Roberts by the Members of Co. M 2nd Me Cavl. as a token of Respect & Esteem”. Captain Roberts was commissioned in the 2nd Maine Cavalry January 2, 1864. He was originally in the 8th Maine Infantry from September 7, 1861 but transferred to the cavalry for service in the deep South, Louisiana and Florida. The 2nd Maine cavalry was assigned to the Department of the Gulf and arrived in five detachments at New Orleans, during April, 1864. Companies A and D, and a part of G, the first to arrive, were at once ordered to Alexandria, La. and assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, to participate in the Red River expedition. They took part in the engagements at Cherryville cross-roads Marksville, Avoyelles prairie and Yellow Bayou, and rejoined the main body of the regiment at Thibodeaux on June 1. In August the regiment went to Pensacola, Fla., arriving on the 11th, and encamped near Barrancas. During the balance of this year it was engaged in fatigue duty, and participated in raids to Marianna, Fla., and Pollard, Ala. In each of these raids severe damage was inflicted on the enemy, many prisoners and large quantities of stores being captured. In the raid to Pollard, four distinct battles were fought, but Lieut.-Col. Spurling, on whom the command of the expedition had devolved, succeeded in conducting his command, encumbered with a train of 50 wagons, 60 miles through the enemy’s country, attacked constantly on front, rear and flanks by a superior force. The regiment suffered much during the summer of 1864, from sickness, induced by a sudden change in the excessive heat of southern Louisiana. At one time only 450 were able to report for duty, and during the year the regiment lost by deaths one officer and 278 enlisted men. On Feb. 23, 1865, Lieut. Col. Spurling with 300 men routed the enemy at Milton, Fla. The regiment joined Gen. Steele’s command at Pensacola on March 19, and participated in the campaign which resulted in the capture of Mobile, and opened up the State of Alabama to the Union forces. The regiment rendered highly efficient service, captured many prisoners, destroyed much railroad and other property, frequently engaged the enemy, and opened communication with Gen. Canby, who was besieging Spanish Fort. After the fall of Mobile, a detachment of the regiment accompanied the 16th corps on a 200-mile march to Montgomery, Ala. In Aug., 1865, detachments of the regiment were stationed at various points in western Florida to preserve the peace. On Dec. 1, it was concentrated at Barrancas, and was mustered out on the 6th, though 25 officers and 116 men remained in Florida, and 14 officers and 500 enlisted men returned to Augusta, where they were finally paid and discharged. PROVENANCE: Accompanied by a folder of information on Roberts and the 2nd and 8th Maine. CONDITION: Overall this sword is in very good to fine condition with good blade etch as can be seen in pictures. Spiral silver-plated grip retains orig twisted wire wrap with some wear though 95% of silver wash is retained. Orig protective red felt washer is present. Scabbard retains much of it’s silver-plate and scabbard mounts and hilt retain strong traces of gold wash. 4-44176 JS (5,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 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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