Deluxe Staff and Field Officer’s Sword of Colonel Hiram C. Alleman / SOLD

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Description

Deluxe Staff and Field Officer’s Sword of Colonel Hiram C. Alleman

Lieutenant Colonel of the 127th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers

Colonel of the 36th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, was the commanding officer of his regiment in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville in both of which he was wounded.

He was appointed Military Governor of Gettysburg and was responsible for collecting the dead, wounded and lost soldiers in the area as well as equipment including muskets, blankets, wagons, horses and mules.

This Civil War sword is a very fine example of an original, non-regulation Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s sword manufactured by the Newark, New Jersey firm of Henry Sauerbier. The high quality, highly embellished sword is complete with its deluxe brass scabbard adorned with ornate brass mountings. The handsome, slightly curved steel blade measures 31” long and has a width of 1 1/8” with a 24” long unstopped fuller and 20” narrow fuller. Both flats of the bright blade exhibit the Sauerbier style of both military and leafy floral motifs with fancy acid etching in like-new condition. All etchings are excellent with high detail. As with many of Sauerbier’s pieces, this blade is not etched with his name. But Sauerbier’s sword characteristics are evident in the large unstopped fuller, unique bulbous serifs or fishtail serifs on the letters “US”, the X-pattern etched on the reverse ricasso, the turned-down pommel and the ornate French embellished face guard. Slightly rounded blade back exhibits no stampings. Blade is fine with only very slight spots of oxidation.

The large, ornate French-styled, cast brass hilt is typical on the sword and displays a cutout backstrap integrated which is slightly bent and as is the knucklebow with small structurally sound hairline cracks. Hilt is tight to the tang with leather washer present. Pommel exhibits a flat, almost oval brass disc that covers the tang mound. All brass has a bright gold gilt overall with one small area of discoloration. Grip is in wonderful condition and features the original shagreen covered wooden handle secured with fine double-twisted copper wire flanked on each side by a single thread of dark wire, all tightly wound around the handle. Grips excellent with no cracking or major loss.

The original, brass scabbard is in excellent condition and features a handsome bright finish overall. Scabbard furniture boasts deluxe brass mounts and suspension rings and its ornate brass drag. The mounts are complete with a 1” diameter brass ring on each. All small screws present on drag, mounts and the throat. Scabbard drag shows normal edgewear. This beautiful, high quality, M1850 Field & Staff officer’s sword is a fine specimen.

Hiram C. Alleman:

Attorney, Military Officer. Hiram C. Alleman, Lieutenant Colonel of the 127th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers and Colonel of the 36th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, was the commanding officer of his regiment in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville in both of which he was wounded. In the Battle of Fredericksburg his Colonel was wounded and he assumed command. For three days his regiment maintained their position in the rear of the town. While holding the advanced skirmish line he was struck by a shell fragment in the right knee. He suffered a fever and was given a leave of absence by General Burnside, but refused to accept it.

Later as general officer of the picket line from Lacy House to United States Ford he made the discovery that Fredericksburg was being evacuated. Alleman’s regiment was detailed to complete the pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock.

After completion of the bridge he asked to be allowed to rejoin his regiment in the battle. He was struck with a piece of shell which broke his ribs and caused him to fall from his horse. His brigade was ordered to hold Fredericksburg. Suffering from his wound he volunteered to guard the bridge and held it until the entire command had retreated across the Rappahannock. He and his regiment were mustered out of service and he was presented with a jeweled sword bearing the inscription: Presented to Lieutenant-Colonel H.C. Alleman by the non-commissioned officers and privates of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiment, as a token of their esteem.

Alleman was admired by his men as he never took a day off and volunteered his writing services to anyone who needed them. He opposed the drinking of alcohol, was a vegetarian and avoided coffee and tea. The 127th also named their encampment Camp Alleman in his honor.

When Lee advanced into Pennsylvania in June 1863, he recruited the 36th Militia Regiment and was appointed its Colonel. Under General Couch he marched his command to Gettysburg where he was made the Military Governor of the town, battlefield and hospitals. His unit was responsible for collecting the dead, wounded and lost soldiers in the area as well as equipment including muskets, blankets, wagons, horses and mules.

During this time, he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Dauphin County serving from 1864 to 1865. After leaving the Legislature he was appointed Bank Commissioner and served as a delegate to the Chicago National Convention. He also served as Chairman of the Committee from the Soldiers’ Convention.

In November 1867 he moved to Philadelphia to practice law. He was married on February 7, 1872 to Emma S. Helmick, daughter of William Helmick, former member of Congress from Ohio. In spring of 1873 he was appointed Attorney of the United States for Colorado. He was also appointed Attorney General by the Territorial Legislature.

During the Civil War, he served three terms of service.

On May 1, 1861, he enlisted at the stated age of twenty-nine in Harrisburg May 1, 1861 and mustered into federal service that day as 1st lieutenant of Company E, 15th Pennsylvania Infantry. On June 22, 1861 he was assigned to a court-martial as judge advocate general and honorably discharged with his company on August 7, 1861.

On August 5, 1862, he enlisted at the stated age of thirty in Hummelstown, Dauphin County and mustered into federal service at Washington District of Columbia on August 16, 1862 as captain of Company D, 127th Pennsylvania Infantry. Later promoted to lieutenant colonel, he was honorably discharged with his company on May 29, 1863.

On July 4, 1863, he enlisted at the stated age of thirty in Harrisburg during the Gettysburg crisis, mustered into state service that day as colonel of the 36th Pennsylvania Militia and on August 11, 1863, was honorably discharged with the regiment.

Hiram Clay Alleman (1831-1906), Military Governor of Gettysburg, to Major John S. Schultz, AAG Dept. of the Susquehanna. Alleman was a 30-year-old attorney residing in Harrisburg, PA when he enlisted as a Captain on 8/5/62 at Harrisburg, PA. On 8/9/62 he was commissioned into Co. D, 127th Pennsylvania. On 8/16/62 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel. He commanded the 127that Fredericksburg (where he was wounded in the leg by a shell fragment) and Chancellorsville (where he was struck in the ribs by a shell fragment, falling from his horse). He was mustered out of service along with the regiment on 5/29/63. In June 1863 upon Lee’s advance towards Pennsylvania, Alleman recruited the 36th Pennsylvania Militia and was appointed Colonel. He marched his command to Gettysburg following the battle, where he was made Military Governor of the town, battlefield and hospitals. His unit was responsible for collecting the dead, wounded and lost soldiers in the area as well as equipment including muskets, blankets, wagons, horses and mules. Alleman mustered out of the 36th along with the rest of its members on 8/11/63, so his duties at Gettysburg lasted just 5 ½ weeks. He was then elected to the PA House of Representatives, serving from 1864 to 1865. He later practiced law in Philadelphia, and in 1873 was appointed Attorney of the United States for Colorado. Alleman died in New York City in 1906, and is buried in Washington, DC.

This item was previously sold by The Horse Soldier of Gettysburg. They also offered the following letter written just after the battle of Gettysburg which is detailed below but not included in the lot.

The text of the letter reads:

Head Quarters, 36 Regt P.M.

Gettysburg Pa. July 9/’63

Maj Jno. S. Schultze

AAG Dept. Susquehanna

Maj,

I marched (from) Gettysburg with my command at 2 ½ o’clock P.M. to-day and encamped on the South side of town. I would have marched this place last evening but for the impassibility of the mountain streams – nearly all of the bridges having been swept away by the freshet, compelling us to take a circuitous route.

I have assumed command of this post, and detailed Lt. Col. Mackay of my regt. [36th PA Militia] Provost Marshall of Gettysburg.

Capt. W. Rankin U.S.A. is Dept. Susquehanna. Gen. Halleck has sent two of his staff officers – Captains W. Willard Smith and H. B. Blood to Gettysburg with written instructions of the 6th inst to collect all Government property found on battle-field and forward serviceable arms to Army of Potomac and balance to Washington.

Lt. Shaff, Ordnance Officer has also been sent here to receive all captured ordnance and ship the same to Washington.

I have detailed Company A of my regt for provost guard only in Gettysburg.

I will detail men in the morning to collect all arms and accoutrement upon the battle-field, shall I turn them over to the Ordnance officer? I will also make details[?] to bury the dead rebels and horses.

I will make the necessary details to load and unload Quarter Master’s stores[?] and also guard the same.

Very Respectfully,

Your Obedt Servant