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present at Lieut C Co. 23rd Rgt Pa Vols
on his staff as aid and eye witness to the
occurrence, being by the side of Genl
Shaler during the incident.” A November
10th, 1893, memorandum from the
Record and Pension Office of the War
Department states: “The Assistant Secretary of War has directed the
issue of a medal of honor to Brevet Major General Alexander Shaler,
U.S. Volunteers, the medal to be engraved as follows: ‘The Congress to Brevet Major General Alexander Shaler, U.S. Volunteers, for Distinguished gallantry at the Battle of Marye’s Heights, Virginia, May 3, 1863.’” Shaler wrote that he “fully appreciated the honor thus conferred upon me by the government and shall esteem this recognition of my efforts to advance its standard on the particular occasion referred to, higher than any other token, which could possibly be my good fortune to receive. It will become an heirloom in my family...” and notes that he trusts it will instruct his “descendants, if, at
any time our government should be again assailed.” Also included are pension documents and other original documents from the National Archives.
After the war, Shaler returned to New York where he held various civic positions and was the
president of multiple businesses. He was the commissioner of the N.Y.C. Fire Department in 1867- 1873 and credited with turning it into one of the best departments in the world. He also headed the N.Y. Commandery of the Loyal Legion and remained active in the state militia as major general and commander of the state’s first division and was also chair of the Board of Health in 1883. He was also the president of the Soldiers’ Business Messenger and Dispatch Company and one of the founders of the National Rifle Association and was the organization’s president in 1876. The NRA was formed in New York by Civil war officers who had seen firsthand the results of poor marksmanship among the largely volunteer forces that fought in the Civil War. The documented noted above is from his time as the president of the Automatic Signal Telegraph Company. It has the “You need not BURN OUT unless you wish to.” slogan at the top followed by “The Wires of the Automatic Signal Telegraph Co., flash an alarm to the Fire Department and Insurance Patrol, the instant a fire has started. ALEXANDER SHALER, President. G. W. SWEZEY, Secretary.” It is dated March 28, 1877, and addressed to Col. Batchelder noting that Shaler cannot send him $50 for a bill he received at that time
and noting “I am awful poor this year but contented nevertheless.
Truly Yours, Shaler.” Shaler was also mayor of Ridgefield, New Jersey,
in 1899-1901.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with mostly bright polished blade with
strong etching, nice frosted backgrounds, some minor spotting,
and mild wear; distinct designs and aged patina on the brass hilt
components, dark aged patina and crisp engraving on the silver
grip, and strong original gilt finish, aged patina, crisp engraving and
inscription, and mild age and storage related wear on the scabbard.
The case and epaulets are also fine with mild age and storage
related wear. The framed sheet music has some minor age related
discoloration, distinct writing and designs, and mild wear on the
frame. This is a unique opportunity to add the sword of a Medal of
Honor recipient to your collection.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
All of the above I know personally being
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