Ames Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's Sword Identified to Col. Joshua Marsden Varian, 8th New York Infantry, "Washington Greys" / SOLD

Ames Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's Sword Identified to Col. Joshua Marsden Varian, 8th New York Infantry, "Washington Greys" - Inventory Number: SWO 224  / SOLD

Varian was a Civil War Colonel and Commander of the 8th New York Infantry the” Washington Greys” 1861-1863 and Post-War Brigadier General of the New York National Guard 1866-1882. 

M. Varian was born in New York City on Jan. 24, 1815. He was commissioned as Captain of Company I, 8th New York State Militia on April 20, 1861, serving until honorably mustered out on August 2, 1861. He then served two enlistments as Colonel and commander of the 8th New York National Guard (May 29, 1862 to September 10, 1862, and June 17, 1863 to July 23, 1863). He served as a Brigadier General in the New York National Guard from 1866 until his death on July 24, 1882 in Manhattan, New York City, and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Hackensack, NJ (Plot 90-A).

Joshua A. Varian

Residence was not listed; 46 years old.

Enlisted on 4/19/1861 at New York City, NY as a Captain.

On 4/20/1861 he was commissioned into "I" Co. NY 8th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 8/2/1861 at New York, NY (Varian's Battery)

On 5/29/1862 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NY 8th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 9/10/1862 at New York, NY

On 6/17/1863 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NY 8th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 7/23/1863 at New York, NY

Promotions:

* Colonel 6/29/1862

New York EIGHTH REGIMENT.  Washington Greys.

     This regiment is located in New York city and still in existence.  On the 4th of April 1786, the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, was formed in New York city into a brigade of artillery and was to consist of the 1st and 2d Regiments and a battalion.  In April 1807, the 3d Regiment of New York Artillery was organized of this battalion and other troops.  July 27, 1847, the designation of the regiment was changed to the 8th Regiment.  In December 1893, it was reduced to a battalion of four companies.  It was reorganized as a regiment, February 14, 1896.  New companies were organized for the battalion, as follows: On July 8, 1895, Company A; on October 30, 1895, Company E; on January 27, 1896, Company H, and on February 14, 1896, Company G, when it was reorganized as a regiment.  April 28, 1898, it was authorized to be organized as a twelve company regiment to enter the service of the United States.  It was in the service of the United States from September 15 to December 15, 1812; from April 23 to August 2, 1861; from May 29 to September 10, 1862, and from June 17 to July 23, 1863.  It was mustered in the United States service as the 8th Regiment Infantry, New York Volunteers, May 14, 17 and 19, 1898, and mustered out of such service, November 3, 1898. Companies L and M were disbanded December 22, 1898.

     The regiment has received authority to place silver rings on the lances of it; colors, engraved as follows:

     On the National Color. -Fort Gansevoort, 1812; Fort Greene, 1812; Washington, April 1861; Bull Run, July 21, 1861; Yorktown, 1862; Gettysburg campaign, 1863; Spanish-American War, 1898.

     On the State Color. -Flour riot, 1826; Stonecutters' riot, 1835; great fire, New York city, 1845; Astor Place riot, 1849; Police riot, 1857; Dead Rabbit riot, 1857; Sepoy riot, 1858; Camp Corcoran Legion, 1862; Draft riots, 1863; Orange riots, 1871; Syracuse, 1877; Brooklyn, 1895; service in the War of the Rebellion.

     April 20, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Washington, D.C., and commanded by Col. George Lyons left the State on the 23d; it was mustered in the service of the United States April 25, 1861, at Washington, to serve three months it served in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, and was mustered out at New York city, August 2, 1861.  Company, I served as a light battery; see Varian's Battery.

     May 29, 1862, the regiment again left the State en route to Washington, D.C., under the command of Col Joshua M. Varian, and re-entered the service of the United States for three months; served principally at Yorktown, Va; it was discharged and mustered out September 10, 1862, at New York city.

     June 17, 1863, the regiment, commanded by Colonel Varian, left the State en route to Harrisburg, Pa, where it was again mustered in the United States service for thirty days; it served principally at and about that place in the 1st Brigade 1st Division, Department Susquehanna, and was mustered out at

New York city, July 23, 1863.

     The regiment lost in 1861:  Killed in action, 9 enlisted men; died of wounds received in action, 1 enlisted man; in 1862, died of disease, etc., 6 enlisted men; total, 16; and it, or parts of it, participated in the following engagements, etc Bull Run, Va, July 21, 1861, loss, killed, 8 enlisted men; wounded, 17 enlisted men; missing, 4 officers and 9 enlisted men; total, 38; skirmishes, at Shippensburg, Pa, June 23, 1863; at Kingston, Pa., June 25, 1863; near Oyster Point, Pa , June 28, 1863; near Fort Washington, Pa , June 25, 1863, and at Carlisle, Pa , July 1, 1863.

 Inventory Number:  SWO 224 / SOLD