This beautiful presentation sword appears in an included photograph of Slocum taken shortly before his death in 1894 suggesting it was his favorite sword. Civil War presentation swords inscribed for high ranking officers are always rare, but swords pictured by their owner's side are even rarer. It is also featured in Thillmann's "Civil War Army Swords" on pages 517-518 and Hoffmann's "Swords of Honor and Regulation." Its scabbard is inscribed "PRESENTED TO/Maj. Genl. H.W. Slocum./Com. of Army of Georgia./FROM THE MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF." The presentation may have occurred in the fall or winter of 1864 in Atlanta at the time that Slocum appointed to command the newly formed Army of Georgia or the conclusion of their campaign. The general and his troops were the first to enter Atlanta on September 2, 1864. He led the Army of Georgia as Sherman's left wing during the March to the Sea and the Carolina's Campaign which was the final campaign in the Western Theater. Major General Henry Warner Slocum (1827-1894) served throughout essentially the entirety of the Civil War. He was wounded at the First Battle of Bull Run, considered the first major battle of the war, and also present at the Battle of Bentonville, which ultimately led to the surrender of the last major Confederate Army, making him perhaps unique among the Union officers as was noted in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 1894 upon his death. He graduated from West Point in 1852 and first served as a 2nd lieutenant in the artillery during the Seminole War. He left the service to practice law in 1856. He was a pro-slavery Democrat but also a firm believer in the preservation of the Union. He rejoined the military at the outbreak of the war and was appointed a colonel on May 21, 1861, in the 27th New York Infantry and led them at First Bull Run where he was wounded. He was promoted to brigadier general on August 9, 1861, and returned to the fight and promoted again to major general on July 25, 1862. He held commands in the Peninsula Campaign, the Seven Days Battles, the Maryland Campaign, and was held in reserve during the Battle of Antietam after which he was placed in command of the XII Corps which he led at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Battle of Chancellorsville (where his men suffered heavy casualties), and commanded the right wing during the Battle of Gettysburg. After the battle, General O. O. Howard reported: "The fighting at Culp's Hill was the most impressive incident of the Battle of Gettysburg...a step all-important and essential to victory... Slocum... prevented Meade from losing the Battle of Gettysburg." After Gettysburg, he was placed under the command of General Joseph Hooker until he attempted to resign due to his mistrust of Hooker which had been established by the heavy casualties his men suffered at Chancellorsville. President Lincoln, however, refused to accept his resignation, and Slocum was placed in command of the defense of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. He was subsequently assigned to the District of Vicksburg and placed in command of the XX Corps upon the death of General McPherson. As noted above, Slocum's command was the first to enter Atlanta after its capture and then fought in the Carolina Campaign under General Sherman, including the final battles at Verasborough and Bentonville. After the Union's victory, Slocum was placed in charge of the Department of the Mississippi until his resignation on September 28, 1865. In the post-war era, Slocum returned to his law career in New York and served three terms in Congress. The sword has a 32 inch straight blade with patriotic and scroll etching and a gilt background. The base of the blade the left side has "TIFFANY/& Co/NY/." The hilt is a mix of gilded brass and silver. The silver languet has an oak leaf and acorn border, and the crossguard has pine cone finials. It has two silver chains for a handguard and a ribbed silver grip. The pommel is a bust of a woman wearing a crested helmet likely representing Bellona, the Roman goddess of war but also possibly a more warlike version of Liberty. The scabbard has guilt brass fittings with floral patterns and has the "TIFFANY & CO/NY" maker's mark backside.

Very fine. The blade retains the vast majority of the gilding and has generally bright surfaces with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. The etched patterns retain most of their original luster. The silver components have attractive mild aged patina. The brass fittings retain significant traces of the original gold wash and display attractive aged patina and minor marks. The German silver scabbard body has a few mild scratches and dings and has strong original gilding around the suspension rings and drag, and the brass mounts retain approximately 30% of their original gilt finish. The inscription remains sharp. This is an outstanding sword linked to an historically significant Civil War general. Swords presented to major generals who commanded entire armies are extremely rare and valuable. Having a picture of the general with the sword by his side will certainly make it a centerpiece, and Major General Slocum's connection to many of the most significant events of the Civil War including the Battle of Gettysburg makes this an apt addition to any Civil War or American arms collection.