This high grade presentation sword appears in "Warman's Civil War Collectibles Identification and Price Guide, 3rd Edition" on page 355 where it is listed as a having Lady Liberty hilt. Both Lady Liberty and Columbia are based on the Roman goddess Libertas. Columbia was the more common figure in 19th century America and encompasses both liberty and other American ideals. The Phrygian cap on the figure is more commonly associated with Columbia than Lady Liberty. It has a W. Clauberg 31 3/4 inch lightly curved, single edged blade with etched floral motifs, a full body rendition of a Union color-bearer armed with a sword on the left and an infantryman with a rifle-musket on the right, and "US" on the left. The grip is a silver full body rendition of Columbia with starred edges on her gown, a gilded brass Phrygian cap, a red jewel at the center of her chest, a sword in her right hand, and a laurel in her right hand, and the remainder of the hilt is gilded brass with a sea serpent quillon with red jeweled eyes and floral scrollwork basket with seven more red jewels. The steel scabbard has a browned body, elaborate gilt fittings and a silver presentation plaque between the suspension rings inscribed "Presented to/ Col. R.N. Pearson./31st Ills V.V.I./ By the Officers of his Regt./June 1, 1865." Pearson was memorialized by his fellow servicemen in "Memorials of Deceased Companions of the Commandery of the State of Illinois, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States." Robert Newton Pearson (1840-1903) was born in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, and moved to Illinois just before the Civil War. The following note about his service was found after his death: "I enlisted as a private in the Tenth Illinois Infantry, April 17th, 1861, for three months. After that service I re-enlisted as a private in the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry (John A. Logan's Regiment), September 3d, 1861. I went through the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry and Fort Donelson carrying a musket as a private soldier. May 16th, 1862, I was appointed First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the Regiment. February 24th, 1863, I was elected-Major by the officers of the Regiment, and commissioned as such by the Governor. I was elected and commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel July 2d, 1863. Was elected and commissioned Colonel September 24th, 1864. March 13th, 1865, I was commissioned by the President of the United States Brigadier-General by brevet for meritorious services on the battle field, and was mustered out of the services with the regiment July 31st, 1865." This sword would have been presented to him by his junior officers just following the Grand Review in Washington, D.C. (May 22-24, 1865) and was no doubt regarded as a great honor for a young man who had risen steadily through the ranks from a private all the way to a brevet brigadier general in a few years. He is said to have "had in him all the elements which go to make up a gallant and accomplished soldier. It is said of him by those who were near him during the whole period of his career as an officer, that the rage of battle and fury of conflict, however great, never caused in the mind of our Companion the least dismay or the slightest hesitation. He never faltered and he never doubted; and it is said by his superior officers that during the long period of his command of the Thirty-First Illinois Infantry, and through the many engagements in which it participated under him, he never gave a command or issued an order inconsistent with the highest and best military judgment." Among his heroic moments during the war was his command of the 31st at Vicksburg where he led his men in charges on the 19th and 22nd of May 1863. He also led the unit in many other battles including through the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman’s March to the Sea and was present at the Grand Review on May 24, 1865, at the close of the war. He met his wife at General John A. Logan’s home during the war. After the war, they lived in Springfield, and he later worked in the Post Office in Chicago, served as a customs officer, and was elected to the Illinois General Assembly.

Fine. The blade has been well-protected and exhibits about 97% bright shiny surfaces and limited small areas of light oxidation/pitting. The silver figural grip exhibits light patina, and the cap has been professionally replaced. The guard and scabbard mounts exhibit most of their original gilded finish. Two of the stones from the guard are exact replacements. The silver presentation plaque has light scratches, attractive aged patina, and a distinct. The steel scabbard body has a chocolate brown patina. A superb and rare opportunity to own a remarkable sword!