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Daniel M. Ray
LOT 229
Historic Highly Embellished Schuyler, Hartley & Graham U.S. Civil War Cavalry Officer’s Presentation, “Quill Tip” Damascus Blade Sword with Relief Chiseled Silver Grip, Gilt Ornamentation, and Scabbard Inscribed to Colonel Daniel M. Ray of the U.S. 2nd East Tennessee Cavalry with Extensive Documentation - This is an exceptionally fine and highly embellished example of a non-regulation Civil War sword from Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York, which was presented to Colonel Daniel M. Ray of the 2nd East Tennessee Cavalry Regiment in the Union Army. Daniel M. Ray was born on a farm in North Carolina on 27 March 1833, where he received part of his education before moving to Dandridge, Tennessee, and receiving the rest. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 was problematic for Ray, who is noted as having had strong convictions for the Union, believing no state should secede. Initially, Ray organized a group of other like-minded people from eastern Tennessee and began to sabotage Confederate military operations in the area. Around December of 1861, Ray accepted a lieutenant’s commission and was appointed adjutant in the 3rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Union), a post he held until 31 August 1862.
In August of 1862, Ray resigned his post in the 3rd Tennessee to accept a commission as colonel of the newly formed 2nd East Tennessee Cavalry regiment. In late 1862, the regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and took part in operations around Murfreesboro in central Tennessee. In December of 1862, the regiment took part in their first major engagement, the Battle of Stone’s River. After the Battle of Stone’s River, Ray was given command of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Division (at times transferred to the 2nd Division). This brigade included the 2nd Tennessee, 2nd Indiana, 4th Indiana, 1st Wisconsin, and Battery D of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery. It is noted in sources pertaining to Ray that he was offered a brevete rank when given this command but refused it, stating that he preferred “to be colonel with a reputation rather than a general without one.” The brigade remained heavily involved in all the operations of the Army of the Cumberland through 1863, with cavalry operations being a primary focus of these campaigns. They were part of the operations against Pegram and Franklin, the expedition to McMinnville, operations around Alexandria, and the Tullahoma Campaign. In the autumn of 1863, Ray’s brigade had crossed the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River with the army and was heavily involved in the Chickamauga Campaign, culminating in the Union defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga. Included documentation with this sword indicates that Ray carried two swords, one of which was lost/captured at Chickamauga. It is likely that the sword captured at the battle was one of a more utilitarian form, as this sword was presented to Ray just a few months before the battle and is documented as having remained in the family.
By the end of 1863, these rigorous campaigns had taken their toll on Colonel Ray, and his health was failing. On 13 February 1864, Ray wrote a letter of resignation from his command due to his degrading health and returned to East Tennessee. Due to the extreme factionalism and discontent in Tennessee, Ray decided to move his family to Illinois in 1866, where they stayed briefly before moving on to Woodson County, Kansas, where he lived for the next 43 years. It is noted in the documentation that on his 80th birthday he proudly showed off his various war mementos, including this sword, and then 12 days later died on 7 April 1913. From there it notes that this sword first passed to Ray’s son Phillip, and then on to his grandson, and then his great-granddaughter Margaret Lanphier, from who it passed into various private collections before now being offered here.
The sword itself is an exceptionally attractive and quite unique example of a non-regulation officer’s presentation sword which was retailed by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York c. 1862- 1863. It measures approximately 38 3/8 inches overall with 32 7/8 inch, slightly curved blade, similar to the profile of an M1850 officer’s sword. This blade however shows Damascene patterns throughout the steel and has a very attractive “quill tip” or “pipe-back” design which broadens slightly for the final third to the tip, which is not often seen on even non-regulation presentation swords. The lower half of the blade on both sides has extensive etching showing floral and martial motifs, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in a banner on the right, and the Schuyler, Hartley & Graham marking on the right ricasso, with gilt accents throughout. There is a scalloped brass rain guard at the base of the blade where it meets the guard. The gilt brass guard is of the M1850 pattern with a highly detailed relief American eagle surrounded by floral motifs and “US”. The cast grip is silver with floral motifs and a gilt knight’s helm, sword, and shield at the center of the left and Columbia on the right, all in relief. The iron scabbard appears to have had an enamel finish and has ornate gilt brass fittings. The outside of the upper locket shows relief floral and grapevine motifs while the inner surface is inscribed “Presented to Col. D.M. Ray. 2nd. East Tenn. Cav. USA. by Officers and men of his Regt as a token of friendship and esteem.” The lower locket shows floral engraving and motifs and is inscribed “Nashville, Tenn. June 20th. 1863.” on the inside surface. The chape shows floral engraving and motifs as well a relief acorns and leaves on the outer surface. Included with the sword is an extensive binder of information pertaining to Colonel Daniel Ray, including copies of letters written by him, copies of photos of him, copies of the book “War of the Rebellion: Series I Volume XXX” in which most of the mentions of Ray are highlighted (over 60 mentions according to the included documentation), as well as copies of other books that either pertain to Ray, the 2nd Tennessee, or Ray’s brigade. CONDITION: Very fine overall. The untouched blade shows mostly a bright grey patina with a few scattered small patches of brown oxidation, distinct Damascus patterns, crisp etching, and retaining much of the gilt accents. The guard retains most of the gilt finish with some scattered light verdigris and light wear. The grip shows an attractively aged patina with minimal wear. The scabbard shows traces of an enamel finish and retains most of the gilt finish on the brass fittings, with an absent ornament from the outside surface of the lower locket. This incredibly historic, documented cavalry officer’s presentation sword inscribed to colonel Daniel M. Ray of the 2nd East Tennessee cavalry would make a fantastic addition to a private or public Civil War collection! Provenance: The Family of Colonel Daniel M. Ray; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
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