Description

Identified Model 1860 Cavalry Saber Ames – Dated 1861!

Ames Model 1860 Cavalry Saber – Identified to H. Rust, 4th & 5th Missouri Cavalry An excellent example of the U.S. Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber, dated 1861 and manufactured by the renowned Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts. This regulation saber features the standard curved blade with single fuller, brass three‐branch guard, and leather grip bound with twisted brass wire. The ricasso is properly marked with inspector’s initials and the reverse with the “Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee, Mass.” address. Of particular note, the crossguard bears a stamped inscription identifying this saber to “(H)einrich Rust”, a cavalryman who served in both the 4th Missouri Cavalry and later the 5th Missouri Cavalry during the Civil War.

Identified, field‐used examples such as this are highly desirable, combining regulation issue with direct soldier identification. The blade shows a light age‐toned. The grip retains its original leather wrap, with the brass wire lacking, with honest wear. The brass guard has an uncleaned patina, highlighting the historic “H. RUST” sutler inscription. The iron scabbard exhibits a matching patina and wear from cavalry service.

The Ames Model 1860 Cavalry Saber was the standard mounted weapon for Union horsemen throughout the Civil War. Missouri cavalry regiments, such as the 4th and 5th, played a pivotal role in the bitter fighting that engulfed the border states, serving in both counter‐guerrilla operations and major campaigns across the Western Theater. A saber identified to a Missouri cavalryman is particularly evocative of the divided loyalties and fierce mounted warfare of the Trans‐Mississippi theater. This saber stands as both an early war example and an identified relic of Civil War service.

Fourth Cavalry MISSOURI (3-YEARS) Fourth Cavalry

Col., G. E. Waring, Lieut.-Cols., Rudolph Blome,. G. Von Helmrich, Majs., E. Kielmansegge, G. M. Elbert, Edward Langen, Emeric Meszaros, T. F. Dwight, B. C. Ludlow, Gottleib C. Rose. This regiment was formed by the consolidation of two battalions, known as the Fremont Hussars and Benton Hussars, each having six full companies, the union being effected in Nov., 1862, though the two battalions had been in existence for about a year. During the fall of 1862, and the succeeding winter, the regiment was under command of Gen. Davidson in southeast Missouri, forming a part of the expedition to Batesville. In the spring of 1863 it was ordered to report to Gen. Rosecrans in Tennessee, but before reaching its destination was stopped by Gen. Asboth at Columbus, Ky., where it was attached to the 6th division, 6th corps. For the rest of its service it was on duty in western Tennessee and Kentucky, detachments being sent into Arkansas and Missouri to break up roving bands of bushwhackers. Part of it was attached to Karge’s brigade in Grierson’s expedition against Guntown, Pontotoc Verona, Okalona and Egypt, Miss., returning via Vicksburg to Memphis. In the early part of 1865 detachments were at Louisville, Ky. Memphis, Tenn., and Vicksburg, Miss. On May 24 the regiment was ordered to New Orleans, where it was attached to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, cavalry corps, Military Division Northern Mississippi, and remained with that command until mustered out. The non-veterans were mustered out in Oct., 1864, and the veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of four companies, which was mustered out on Nov. 20, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 274

NOVEMBER 15, 1863.–Skirmish at Pillowville, Tenn. Report of Col. George E. Waring, jr., Fourth Missouri Cavalry. HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SIXTH DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS, Union City, Tenn., November 18, 1863. On Sunday, the 15th instant, I sent out Capt. Hencke, Company B, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, in command of 100 cavalry to attack a conscripting party which I was informed would be at Pillowville, 33 miles southeast of here, on the morning of the 15th instant. He arrived there at about 10 a. m., and came upon the party, numbering 34 men. They fled and he pursued them for 3 miles, killing 5 of the enemy and capturing 3 prisoners, including a lieutenant of Faulkner’s command. No loss on our side. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. GEO. E. WARING, Jr., Col. Fourth Missouri Cavalry, Cmdg. Brigade. Capt. J. HOUGH, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Columbus, Ky. Source: Official Records PAGE 570-54 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLIII. [Series I. Vol. 31. Part I, Reports and Union Correspondence. Serial No. 54.

Report of Maj. Edward Langen, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, of operations January 22-February 8. COLLIERVILLE, TENN., February 10, 1864. Report of march from Union City, Tenn., to Collierville, Tenn., of the Fourth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, under command of Maj. Edward Langen: This command left Union City on the 22d day of January, 1864, and took camp 6 miles from Troy, Tenn. Left the camp on the morning of the 23d, and marched about 2 miles from Sharp’s Ferry, on the Obion River. Camped there again. Staid in this camp on the 24th, and left the camp on the 25th to return and take another road, as it was, on account of the rise of the Obion River, impossible to cross any more. Passed Troy and arrived on the 25th, 10 miles from Union City, at Widow White’, on the Hickman road. On the 26th, marched at 10 a. m., and camped 3 miles north of Union City. On the 27th, passed Jacksonville, Gardner’s Station, and camped 2 1/2 miles from Dresden. On the 28th, staid in this camp and waited for supply train, which came about 2 miles from camp. Left on the 29th, passed Dresden, McKenzie’s Station, and camped 4 miles this side of Huntingdon. Left camp on the 30th, passed Huntingdon, and camped 6 miles on the other side of Huntingdon. In this camp we staid all the 31st of January and 1st of February, on which day the supply train caught up. On the 2d, left camp, passed Spring Creek, and camped 4 miles below Spring Creek, on the Cotton Creek road. In this camp sent five teams from the supply train with provisions to Mount Pinson, and passed Cotton Creek. Passed the Hatchie River and swamp, and camped 5 miles from Mount Pinson. On the 4th February, passed Mount Pinson, camped 8 miles on the Bolivar road. On the 5th, marched through Medon, crossed the Hatchie River on a flat-boat, camped 2 miles on the other side of Bolivar, and left on the 7th. Passed Somerville and camped 8 miles below that place. Left camp on the 8th, passed the Wolf River Swamp and river, and arrived at Collierville early in the afternoon. EDWARD LANGEN, Maj., Fourth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. Lieut. A. VEZIN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen. ———– Report of Maj. Gustav Heinrichs, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, of operations February 11-27. HDQRS. FOURTH MISSOURI CAVALRY, Camp Grierson, Tenn., March 17, 1864. SIR: In compliance with special orders from headquarters First Brigade, I have the honor to transmit herewith my official report of the part taken by my command in the last great cavalry expedition toward Meridian, Miss., and of the different skirmishes and fights in which the same participated: The regiment left Collierville, Tenn., as part of the First Brigade, on Tuesday afternoon, February 11, and consisted of the First Squadron, under Capt. Hanson, with Companies D, G, and H; the Second Squadron, under Capt. Kemper, and composed of Companies I, K, and L, and the mountain howitzer battery of four pieces, lately organized, under Capt. Charles P. Knispel, with Lieut.’s Graessle and Wieser; Companies A and B, being detached as provost guard and Companies F, C, and E, absent from the regiment. We commenced marching day and night, and the good spirit of the men did hardly leave them time to reflect over the great distances that were made. February 13, arrived in sight of Holly Springs, Miss., at 6 o’clock, having marched all night, and arrived in camp near Walker’s Mills that afternoon. Left camp on the morning of the 15th under a heavy rain, and arrived near Tippah Creek, where we helped build a bridge with fence rails, and crossed the same with much difficulty, arriving in camp on the other side of Tippah Creek early in the morning of February 16. Left camp that morning, and crossed the Tallahatchie that same night. Came in camp after midnight and left camp again at 5 o’clock; marched toward Pontotoc, Miss. Arrived near Okolona at dark next day, and while marching into camp several shots were fired on our advance, when, under direction of Col. Waring, the regiment, with the battery, formed in line ready to engage the enemy, who, however, seemed to have no desire to open a conflict. We followed him several miles, and he dispersed in all directions. So went into camp at about 10 o’clock in expectation of meeting him the next morning. Marched the next day via railroad station, near Egypt, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and encamped near Prairie Mound or Aberdeen, without my command having a chance of coming into action, although skirmishing and heavy patrolling continued all day. On the 20th, we arrived in camp near West Point, and remained in line of battle all night on a most favorable position after some of the other brigades had been in a fight that day. At 7 o’clock on the morning of the 22d, when our brigade received orders to fall back, we left camp in the direction of Okolona. My command marched in the center of the First Brigade, with Capt. H. Kemper’s squadron in the rear of Capt. Knispel’s battery, Capt. Hanson having the advance. Early after the march a heavy demonstration was made against the brigade marching in the rear of the First, and by order of the colonel commanding I formed in line of battle the pieces, besides my two squadrons, supported by the Second New Jersey and Second Illinois, to our right and left. After awaiting an engagement for about one hour our brigade was ordered to fall back, and we continued our march toward Okolona. About 2 p. m. Capt. Kemper informed me that he was very hard pressed by stragglers from the brigade in our rear, and that the enemy was coming nearer and nearer. While going to the rear to see what could be done, Maj. E. Langen, with the First Squadron, had reached a pretty elevated spot, where, with great presence of mind he halted, and was about forming that squadron to the right of the road. Meanwhile our battery and the Second Squadron had also reached this point, where we formed the regiment, with the pieces partly in the road and on both sides, facing toward the running friends of the brigade in our rear and the approaching enemy from the opposite hill, supported again on both flanks by the brave men of the Second New Jersey and Second Illinois. The colonel commanding, at that time busily engaged in forming the whole of his brigade, will, I am satisfied, never forget the conduct of his regiment of this critical occasion. While the friends of our rear broke and ran away, and the enemy were coming thicker and thicker, the boys stood like a wall, hoping once to slow their ambition to fight, and our battery just as anxious to be tried the first time under fire. We again were ordered back, and arrived near a place called Ivey’s farm. I was there ordered by the colonel commanding to the right of the battery, while he in person placed the same in a splendid position. The enemy slowly but steadily approached and opened a lively fire on us. The Fourth Missouri Cavalry was ordered to dismount and fight on foot. The battery had commenced a well-directed fire, and it was there Col. Forrest, of the C. S. Army, fell, according to rebel reports since published. It was this young battery that did it. The enemy was checked, and Gen. Smith, present on the occasion, remembering former representations and listening to a retreated request of Col. Waring to allow the Fourth Missouri Cavalry to make a saber charge, ordered the charge, which was executed, and, according to the compliments sent to the regiment by him, in a most brilliant style. During that time the brigade was ordered to fall back like the balance of the troops, and under cover of this charge the withdrawal succeeded, under a most furious fire of the enemy, who meanwhile had succeeded in breaking our left line of support. The enemy had advanced nearer than 20 paces. All of the horses of one piece were killed, and the carriage broken. Maj. Langen, with Capt. Hanson, made another desperate charge, and with the balance of the men, reformed by myself and by the bravery of the officers of the battery, succeeded in saving the whole battery, with the exception of one disabled piece, which was spiked. This spiking was done by Sergeant von Westernhagen and Corporal Velguth, of Company M, which act I feel proud and in duty bound to mention as an act of bravery and courage, and respectfully recommend these brave men to the commendation of the colonel commanding. The conduct of officers and men of my command during this terrible engagement has been sufficiently observed by Col. Waring, and needs scarcely a repetition of honorable notice on my part. Be it sufficient to say that every one, without exception, behaved well and gallantly. The enemy, with a good lesson, fell back and troubled us no more. We formed again on the other side of the Tallahatchie on the 23d, and before crossing the Tippah on the 24th, and arrived, after an easy and comfortable march, safely near Memphis on the 27th. I have also the honor to lay, through you, before the colonel commanding an official list* of the casualties in killed, wounded, and missing of my command. It will be observed that we lost but little, which shows that the enemy, by the courageous and coolly executed saber charge, was so struck and taken by surprise that he lost the balance of power to give a well-aimed fire, and this explains the many horses shot in the legs and heads. In conclusion, I beg to be allowed to express my sincere thanks to my comrade with me in command, Maj. E. Langen, for his valuable assistance in sharing with me the responsibilities and hardship connected with this expedition. GUST. HEINRICHS, Maj., Cmdg. Lieut. A. VEZIN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen. Source: Official Records CHAP. XLIV.] THE MERIDIAN EXPEDITION. PAGE 277-57 [Series I. Vol. 32. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 57.

Inventory Number: SWO 323