Pair of Presentation Swords Belonging to Father & Son Civil War and Spanish-American War / SOLD
Pair of Presentation Swords Belonging to Father & Son - Civil War and Spanish-American War / SOLD
Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword-
Inscribed: “Erksine Boies Fullerton 1st Lieut. Company K. 86th Ohio Vol. Infantry – 14th July 1863.”
Captain Fullerton was commissioned on the date of the inscription and served with this regiment until it mustered out on February 20th, 1864 at Camp Cleveland, Ohio.
This model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword exhibits a scarce “Gutta Percha” handle with acid etched presentation on the blade.
The Model 1850 Army Staff and Field Officer's Sword was carried by all members of staff departments, Field Grade officers of Artillery and Infantry, Company Grade Officers of Light Artillery, Staff Officers and Aides-de-Camp. It was based on a French pattern. Though other swords were by regulation allowed, this model was by far the most popular sword carried by officers during the American Civil War.
Model 1840 Cavalry Saber-
Manufactured by Clemens and Jung, Blade bears a center panel with the etched inscription:
“Rutherford Fullington Lance Corpl. Troop D. 1st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry – 1898”
The model 1840 saber, called the "wrist breaker", was a relatively heavy cavalry saber, and as it was manufactured before the Civil War, it saw extensive use by both sides during the war. Standard features include a relatively straight wooden handle covered with leather and a wire grip, brass hilt has three branches, brass pommel cap and guard are unadorned, steel blade has flat back with narrow and wide fuller stopped at the ricasso, iron scabbard with iron mountings, throat is secured by two rivets and is European origin. Manufactured by Clemen & Jung, Solingen Prussia, sabers from this maker were supplied to state or militia units only, and were not Federal inspected. Marks: ricasso stamped, "C & J" inside a three sided box with concave ends. Blade length 36in.
Additional photographs available upon request.
"The Fullerton home in Salem while not a regular station upon the so-called "Underground Railway" was yet always open to the runaway slaves, and among Erskine's earliest recollections were those of the poor trembling black wretches who came to his father's house, were fed, clothed and sent on their way.
Erskine Boies Fullerton was graduated from Miami University in 1864: from Starling Medical College in 1866. He went to the Civil War in 1863-4 with a company of college boys and served about Cumberland Gap. He was made a lieutenant. In 1871 he married Fanny Platt, (born April 12, 1847, died May 28, 1896), daughter of William A. Platt, of Columbus, Ohio. He was Professor of Materia Medica in Starling Medical College from 1875 to 1907, and trustee of the college from 1887 until his death. Among Erskine's early memories was that of being taken by his father to hear Emerson lecture. This was considered questionable, almost heretical and possibly made an ineffaceable impression on the boy's mind. However that may be, certainly his tendencies were always toward morality rather than religious belief, toward ethical culture rather than dogma. He was an intelligent reader of good books, with the old-fashioned and delightful habit if talking over in an intelligent way what he had read. His familiarity with history and general knowledge of most various and unexpected kinds, made him, to his family, a sort of "ready reference" and whenever a question arose the first idea was not to bother with an Encyclopedia, but to "ask father". Sensitive to a fault, he was yet of an honest and independent spirit which made him choose the right, as he saw it, rather than the popular course. This combination of traits caused him much suffering, but gave him much harm, as his own sensitiveness made him understand nd enter into the feelings of others, while with his independent, logical, and original mind he could entertain without banality and instruct without pedantry. His responsive kindliness and humor made him a most delightful traveling companion and he was never so happy as when, Columbus disappearing in the distance, he had started on his yearly outing. He dies suddenly, from apoplexy, July 31, 1909, in Portland Oregon, on his way, after a leisurely trip through the West, to the exposition at Seattle. "- L.F.G.
Erksine B. Fullerton enlisted at 19 years old on 5/28/1862 as a Private.
On 5/28/1862 he mustered into "A" Co. OH 86th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 9/25/1862 at Camp Chase, OH
Enlisted on 6/16/1863 at 21 years old as a 1st Lieutenant.
On 7/14/1863 he was commissioned into "K" Co. OH 86th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 2/10/1864 at Camp Cleveland, OH
OHIO EIGHTY-SIXTH INFANTRY (Three Months)
Eighty-sixth Infantry. - Col., Barnabas Burns , Lieut.- Col., Henry B. Hunter; Maj., Wilson C. Lemert. This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, June 10, 1862, to serve for three months. It spent its term of enlistment in western Virginia, doing guard duty, etc., but it was in no engagements. It was mustered out on Sept. 25, 1862, by reason of expiration of term of service.
OHIO EIGHTY-SIXTH INFANTRY (Six Months)
Eighty-sixth Infantry. - Col., Wilson C. Lemert; Lieut.- Col., Robert W. McFarland; Maj., William Kraus. This regiment was organized at Camp Cleveland, July 14, 1863, to serve for six months. It participated in the chase of Gen. Morgan and then joined the expedition for the capture of Cumberland gap, Tenn. After the surrender of that place the regiment remained on guard duty there until its term of enlistment had expired, being mustered out Feb. 10, 1864.
Inventory Number: SWO 031 / SOLD