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LOT 1125
Historic Cased Civil War Schuyler, Hartley & Graham Rich Presentation Officer Sword with a Figural Statue Hilt and Scabbard Presentation Inscribed to Captain Israel C. Smith of the 3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry and 10th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry - This incredible sword’s pattern is pictured on page 152 of the 1861 Schuyler, Hartley & Graham catalog where it is item No. 437 in the “Rich Presentation Swords.” The 32
3/4 inch, Damascus blade has 17 inch etched panels with scroll patterns, classical martial trophies, patriotic motifs, and gilt backgrounds. The hilt is
gilt brass with a cast silver figural grip. The finial is in the shape of a bestial mask, and the guard has pierced acanthus scrollwork. The knucklebow has oak leave and accord patterns, and the impressive figural hilt is a rendition
of an allegorical female figure in medieval style armor likely representing Liberty standing on a wyvern (likely meant to represent the Confederacy) and holding a large sword. The wyvern, her legs, arms, head, and helmet plume are all silver, and the rest is finished in gilded. A golden sword knot is fitted
to the knuckleguard. The scabbard has gilt brass fittings with silver accents such as a laurel branch on the drag, band on the lower suspension band,
and a cherub with a torch and wreath on the back of an eagle on the upper band. The silver body of the scabbard is inscribed “Presented to/Capt. Israel C. Smith/By the Members of the/COMPANY.” It comes in a fitted hardwood case
with navy velvet interior fitted to the sword and blank lid escutcheon.
Israel Canton Smith (1838-1899) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, served as was a captain in the 3rd
Michigan Volunteer Infantry and later the colonel of the 10th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War. He was also the acting inspector
general on the staffs of Philip R. de Trobriand, Davis Tillson, Alvan C. Gillem, and George
Stoneman. Prior to the war, Smith studied at Albion College and graduated in 1856. He then
worked as a clerk and then in the lumber industry before studying law briefly. In 1859, he went to the West in search of gold but came home broke and returned to his legal studies and found work as a boatman prior to enlisting on May 13, 1861, at Grand Rapids as a 2nd lieutenant in E Company of the 3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was noted as a “strict disciplinarian” and was nicknamed “Bub” by the men.
In June, the 3rd Infantry headed to
Washington, D.C. Their first battle was at Blackburn’s Ford on July 18 after which Smith was promoted to adjutant. He was shot in the shoulder while leading a charge during the fighting at Groveton, Virginia, near Bull Run on August 29, 1862. The 3rd was involved in a “severe engagement” with General Jackson’s Confederate corps and then the troops under General Longstreet who relieved Jackson. Longstreet forced Union General Pope’s command into a retreat. Smith returned to Michigan on leave to recuperate and returned later that year to serve on the staff of General Hiram Berry at Fredericksburg, Maryland, on December 13, 1862. He then served as the acting assistant inspector general of the 3rd Brigade, First Division, Third Corps. from March 23 through June of 1863 and was on the staff of General Samuel B. Hayman of the Third Brigade at Chancellorsville, Virginia, on May 3, 1863. He was
part of the famous “night charge” that ultimately left Stonewall Jackson mortally wounded when Jackson’s own men fired upon him as he returned
to their lines. Smith charged in on his horse when the line broke and had his horse struck in the neck by a cannon ball but dismounted and led the men, including in recapturing Union artillery. He was also wounded at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, where Smith was again fighting against General Longstreet’s command. After repositioning men to fill a gap in the line to stop Longstreet’s charge, he rallied his men, but a shot passed through his horse’s shoulder and struck Smith in the leg, fracturing the bone just below his right knee. He was again sent back to Michigan to recover. The local papers reported that his recovery was going well by the end of the month and that he would return
to command soon, but private papers indicate that things were not going as well and on August 11, 1863, he was still confined to his room. On the 22nd, he was promoted to major and transferred to the 10th Michigan Cavalry and assigned to command at Camp Kellogg.
The 10th Michigan Cavalry was organized during the summer and fall of 1863. Smith is noted as having “won merited distinction in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, in the latter of which he was seriously wounded while serving on the staff of General De Trobriand...” Smith and the regiment left Michigan for Lexington, Kentucky, on December 1, 1863, and joined the Army of the Ohio. In Tennessee, Smith led advances of the infantry corps in reconnoitering the Confederate lines. He was in command of the First Battalion during the reconnaissance to Russellville, Tennessee in late March. Lt. Wallace W. Dickinson, formerly of the K Company of the 3rd Michigan wrote at that time that Smith was “universally liked by officers and men.