This sword was given to General James W. Forsyth in 1867 and is pictured in "Civil War Army Swords" by John H. Thillmann. A sword of this pattern was also presented to Brevet Brigadier General D.H. Vinton and is pictured on page 211 of "Steel Canvas" by R.L. Wilson, and the same pattern is depicted in the Tiffany & Co. catalog under "Straight Swords for Generals." It has a 33 inch straight blade etched with finely detailed classical martial motifs including a beautiful rendition of a classical color bearer, "US," and the Tiffany & Co. maker's mark near the ricasso on the left and a soldier with rifle-musket and bayonet on the right side. The gilded hilt has a spread wing eagle holding a patriotic shield that serves as the languet on each side, a cast silver grip with a classical soldier's profile (possible Ares, god of war) and panoply of arms on the right and winged woman holding a crown of laurels (likely Nike, goddess of victory, or Arete, a personification of excellence/honor) under a winged horn/trumpet (a symbol of fame) on the left, double silver chain knuckle guard, gilded pommel with arrows, and silver pommel cap with a Gorgoneion/Medusa's head (used on shields, weapons, and other items since ancient times to turn away evil). The scabbard is gold plated and has the "TIFFANY & CO./NY" mark below the throat, detailed leafy patterns at the suspension bands, additional leaves and patriotic shields at the drag, and the inscription "Bvt. Brig. Gen. J.W. Forsyth./U.S.A./from his sincere Friend/S. Dexter Bradford./Oct. 16th. 1867" between the suspension bands. Major General James William Forsyth (1834-1906) is well-known today primarily as the commander of the 7th Cavalry at the Wounded Knee Massacre. However, prior to that tragic event, he had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. military beginning with his graduation from West Point in 1856. During the Civil War, he rose to the rank of brevet Brigadier General and full Lieutenant Colonel and was chief of staff for General Philip Sheridan. After the war, he was promoted to Brigadier General with rank from May 1865 and served primarily in the West until the end of his career in 1897 when he retired with the rank of Major General. In 1867, he served as a major in the 10th U.S. Cavalry and as acting assistant inspector general under Sheridan. The date on the sword corresponds to Forsyth's marriage to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dennison (1845-1888) of Columbus, Ohio. Her father was William Dennison Jr., previously the Governor of Ohio (1860-1862) and United States Postmaster General (1864-1866). Forsyth was also an Ohio native. General Sheridan and other U.S. officers were part of the wedding party and toured the East immediately before. S. Dexter Bradford is Samuel Dexter Bradford Jr. (1837-1873), a wealthy playboy and son of a writer from Roxbury, Mass. Forsyth was part of Sheridan's party hosted by Bradford while in Newport, R.I., around October 4-7, 1867, after a visit to New York City, and Bradford traveled on with the group at least to Boston. From there, the party then headed to Albany, Buffalo, Niagara, and finally Cleveland before arriving in Columbus the day before Forsyth's wedding. Bradford may have traveled with the group all the way to Columbus or sent the sword along as a wedding gift. Sheridan's trip in the East consisted of many brief visits in the main cities, often with speeches and celebrations in Sheridan's honor. After his marriage, Forsyth returned to the West in 1868-1869 and served in campaigns against Comanche, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Kiowa before traveling to Europe with General Sheridan to observe the Franco-Prussian War and then returning to commands in the West, including as colonel and commander of the famous 7th Cavalry stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1886 which he commanded at Wounded Knee in 1890.

Very fine with most of the original gold remaining on the scabbard, blade, and hilt, aged patina on the silver, fading mostly on the lower section of the scabbard, distinct designs and markings throughout, some light staining and oxidation proper for the age of the excellent blade, and generally only very light wear from handling and storage. This sword is a beautiful Tiffany & Co.'s fine 19th century sword made all the more desirable by its presentation to a career military officer connected to historic events in both the Civil War and the late 19th century Indian Wars.