Sword of Major General Absalom Baird / SOLD

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

Baird was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading "an assault upon the enemy's works" at the Battle of Jonesborough on September 1, 1864.

Model 1850 foot officer’s sword manufactured by W. H. Horstmann & Sons.  Mounted with an 1833 style quill back style blade. The blade is engraved with oak leaves, military trophies, figure of Tecumseh, American eagle, tent and US shield in a stand of arms. The blade is marked W. H. Horstmann / & Sons / Philadelphia.  Left panel is lightly acid etched: “A. Baird USA”. Top scabbard mount exhibits a raised scoll bearing the marking Horstmann & Sons Makers, Philada. 

     Baird, Absalom, brigadier-general, was born in Washington, Pa. Aug. 20, 1824, and graduated at West Point in he served in 1850-51 as second lieutenant during the Seminole war.  In 1853 he was promoted to first lieutenant and served until 1859 as assistant professor of mathematics at the military academy, spending the next two years on frontier and garrison duty.  In March, 1861, he took command of the light battery for the Department of Washington, and on May 11, was brevetted captain.  In July, 1861, he served as adjutant-general in the defense of Washington and in the Manassas campaign, engaging later in the siege of Yorktown and the battle of Williamsburg.  He commanded a brigade in the Army of the Ohio from May to Sept., 1862, and was engaged in the capture of Cumberland gap.  From Oct., 1862, to June, 1863, he commanded the third division in the Army of the Kentucky, and was, for gallant action at Chickamauga, brevetted lieutenant-colonel.  He also held important commands in the operations about Chattanooga, the battle of Missionary ridge, the march to the sea, the capture of Atlanta, and the march through the Carolinas, being present at the surrender of Johnston's army at Durham station.  For his services in the Atlanta campaign he received the brevet rank of brigadier-general in the regular army, while distinguished services throughout the war won him that of brevet major-general, U. S. A.  Since the war, General Baird has served as inspector-general of various departments.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for Jonesboro, GA 09/01/1864

Led detached brigade in assault on enemy's works

Inventory Number: SWO 161 / SOLD