Deluxe Staff & Field Officer's Pattern Sword presented to Capt. James T. Morgan by members of Co. E, 30th Michigan Infantry Regiment in 1865. The non-regulation Staff & Field Officers pattern sword is etched with the assembler's trademark "Miller & Co. Newark" in a circle on the obverse ricasso. The "W/CLAUBERG/Knight/SOLINGEN" trademark is stamped on the reverse ricasso. The sword hilt and scabbard are nearly identical to "Emerson & Silver Presentation-Grade Staff & Field Officer's Sword" illustrated and described on page 319 of CIVIL WAR ARMY SWORDS by John H. Thillman. The sword has a gold washed brass French style guard and cast German silver grip. The 32-inch fullered blade has a spear point and is decorated with detailed acid-etched dry needle engraved patriotic designs. The obverse of the blade is etched with a detailed eagle and "E Pluribus Unum" ribbon flanked by cross cannons and a federal shield with military trophies surrounded by foliate designs. The reverse of the blade is etched with a ribbon bearing the motto "BE JUST/AND/FEAR NOT", a Civil War battle scene with infantry and a mounted officer and "U.S" in script letters all surrounded by foliate engraving. "IRON PROOF" is etched in a panel on the top of the blade. The iron scabbard has a browned body with high quality gold washed open work castings on the drag suspension bands and throat. The scabbard castings are identical to those illustrated on page 319 of "CIVIL WAR ARMY SWORDS". An oval silver plate mounted between the suspension band castings is engraved ">Presented to</Capt. James T. Morgan/of Co. E. 30th Mich. Infantry./by the members of his Co.,/>Feby 9th 1865<". Information supplied with the sword states that Lieutenant, later Captain, commanded companies "E" and "B" of the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry at the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Vicksburg. The 17th Michigan earned the nickname "Stonewall Regiment" for the action at South Mountain. Captain Morgan was captured at Campbell's Station, Tennessee, on November 16, 1863, and was held as a prisoner of war at Richmond, Virginia, Macon, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. He escaped or was exchanged on November 19, 1864, and was discharged from the 17th Michigan in January 1865. On January 9, 1865, he enlisted in the 30th Michigan Infantry which was a 12-month regiment assigned to frontier duty in Michigan. Captain Morgan died on May 31, 1865 at age 25.

This high quality presentation sword is fine. The undecorated tip of the blade is bright and shows light pitting but the etched panels retain more that 85% of the frosted finish and the acid-etched engraving is crisp The brown buff leather washer is intact. The cast brass hilt has traces of the gold washed patina in protected areas with patina on contact points. The German silver cast grip is very fine. The scabbard body retains more 85% plus of the original dark brown lacquer finish with some minor age spotting and traces of surface rust near the throat. The castings on the throat, suspension bands and drag retain half of the gold washed finish. The script engraving on the presentation plate is sharp. This is a very good example of a high quality Staff & Field Officer's pattern sword presented to a distinguished officer who died in the service of his country.