Manufactured c. 1862-1863 by W.H. Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia, this is a solid representative example of a Civil War presentation sword. Through a previous sale of this sword, reportedly by one of his descendants, this sword is attributed as having been presented to Edward S.E. Newbury. The sword itself is of the typical M1850 Foot Officer's pattern and has the W.H. Horstmann & Sons maker's mark and crowned head mark on the lower right of the blade. The spine is etched with "Iron Proof", and both sides of the blade have etched floral and martial motifs along about half of the length. The brass guard is of a fairly typical pattern with a cast American eagle, shield, and stand of arms on the knuckle guard. The grip is German silver and finely engraved with floral motifs surrounding two panel scenes featuring "Liberty and Prosperity", from the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey. The pommel is also brass and cast with an American shield and floral motifs. The scabbard is iron with brass fittings, all cast with martial motifs. The front side of the top fitting is engraved with "N", for Newbury, and there are four small holes between the two hanger fittings, likely the remaining evidence of a presentation plaque. The back sides of the top two fittings list major engagements that Newbury took part in, including Bull Run, Brick House Point, Gaines' Mills, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hills, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorville [sic], with the two wounds also listed by their respective engagements. Includes a printout of a sale from 2000 indicating the swords sale out of the Newbury family as well as a printed article by Michael S. Mitchell regarding the incident at Bog Wallow and containing a plethora of information about Newbury/Newberry and his military career. An article from the New Jersey Herald in 2013 provides some background knowledge on Newbury. It states that he was born in North Carolina in 1839, and he reportedly went north to live with his mother's relatives sometime in the 1850s, possibly after the John Brown Raid due to abolitionist sympathies. It appears that Newbury (sometimes notated as "Newberry") initially mustered into the 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry as a private. They became part of the 1st New Jersey Brigade. It appears that he was detailed as a fifer for the regiment to free him from company duties so he could undertake the responsibilities of a scout and spy. It is noted that he received significant ridicule from the men in his regiment due to his ties to the South and his southern accent, and may be part of why he took on such a dangerous role in the regiment. The regiment was initially stationed in northern Virginia where their pickets were being raided regularly by Confederate cavalry, particularly a unit they called the "Loudoun County Scouts", which Newbury set out to gather information on. Information obtained by Newbury eventually led to elements of the 3rd New Jersey laying an ambush for the rebel cavalry, and, on the night of 4 December 1861, a group of rebel cavalry rode right into the trap, which included two lengths of telegraph wire to dismount them. The cavalry was actually a small group of Georgia Hussars under the command of captain J. Fred Waring, who rode headlong into a swamp and a "sheet of fire" presented by the 3rd N.J. shortly after midnight. There were a handful of casualties on both sides, including Newbury himself, who reportedly was hit with buckshot in the left arm (accounting for the first wound noted on the scabbard as 5 December 1861). This engagement became known as the "Bog Wallow Ambush". In June of 1862, commander of the 1st New Jersey Brigade Phillip Kearney recommended Newbury as an officer for one of the fresh New Jersey regiments being raised, saying that Newbury “has evinced great aptitude and daring as a scout and was badly wounded and particularly distinguished in the ambush fight of the 3rd N. J. Vols under then Col Taylor on the 5th Dec’r last.” In August of 1862, Newbury accepted a commission in the 11th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry as a second lieutenant. With the 11th N.J.V.I. at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May of 1863, Newbury was struck in the leg by a bullet while helping his wounded captain from the field. This second wound sidelined Newbury until late 1863, but, upon his return, he was promoted to captain and served as aide-de-camp to colonel McAllister of the 11th N.J.V.I. and to General French. In January of 1864, Newbury was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, serving with the 21st Regiment Veteran Infantry. Newbury died in 1920 and is buried at Rahway Cemetery in New Jersey, where his headstone simply lists him as "PVT. CO. D 3 REGT. N.J. VOL. INF." It is likely that this sword was presented to him either by the men under his command in the 11th N.J.V.I. or at the end of the war by members of his veteran reserve regiment. Provenance: Captain Edward S.E. Newbury; The Family of Captain Edward S.E. Newbury; The Jere Brunton Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Good, the blade showing mostly grey patina with some scattered patches of light pitting, moderate pitting and a few nicks in the spine near the tip, and mostly distinct etching. The guard is bent with the brass showing an attractively aged patina overall and the German silver is bright with a dent in the grip area. The scabbard shows a brown patina with evidence of a removed plaque, some mild oxidation, and attractively aged brass. A historic presentation sword attributed to a well-documented Union veteran of the Civil War!