This sword is stunning. It is solid gold mounted, the highest level of U.S. presentation swords and usually only seen on Congressional or state presentation pieces. The scabbard is ribbed and has some acanthus patterns on the drag and throat. The solid gold cruciform hilt (a centuries old design based on the shape of the Christian cross) has highly detailed maple leaf languets (representing British Canada) and has the victors' names "JOHNSON" and "CROGHAN" in raised relief over the maple leaf on opposing sides. It also has an acanthus leaf pattern cross guard. The four-sided solid gold grip has "SANDUSKY" surrounded by raised sun ray patterns on the obverse, and a blank panel surrounded by acanthus leaves on the reverse. The outer sides have thirteen raised stars, and the gold canthus leaf pattern ovoid pommel has "US" in a cockade and "1813" on the top of a patriotic shield on the sides. The 30 1/8 inch straight elliptical blade is etched with arrows, a federal shield, thirteen stars in a half-circle, floral, and two large panels reading "Pursuant to a Resolution of Congress/of the /13th of February 1835" on one side, "Presented by the President of the U.S./TO/Lieutenant Benjamin Johnson" on the opposite, and "N.P. Ames/Sword Cutler/Springfield" on the ricasso (his earliest maker's mark). The scabbard has a solid gold throat which is incised decorated with two rows of arrow feathers and acanthus leaves at the base, two ring mounts for attachment to a sword belt. The scabbard is gilt silver and has vertical flutes symbolizing a fasces (an ancient Roman symbol of power). The drag is also solid gold and has raised acanthus leaf decoration. The acanthus leaf symbolized immortality in ancient Mediterranean cultures and has long been a traditional decoration on fine arms. These ancient emblems used in the congressional sword design by N.P. Ames were meant to convey patriotism and tie the republic back to the ancient world. As noted on page 89 of "The Ames Sword Co." by Hamilton, "Allegory was subtly used to define feelings of nationalism in aesthetic terms, and kindle the fires of patriotic emotion." N.P. Ames started sword manufacturing in 1832, and these were his first Congressional sword in 1835, just three years later, and the company continued to make swords into the 20th century. However, in private collections today, only approximately 7 total solid gold presidential/congressional presentation sword exist for all wars, making this sword one of the great American national treasures! This historic sword was presented by President Andrew Jackson in 1835 to Lieutenant Benjamin Johnson's family. The Congress passed the following in early 1835: "A resolution presenting a gold medal to George Croghan, and a sword to each of the officer's under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct, in the defense of Fort Stephenson, in eighteen hundred thirteen. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices and presented to Colonel Croghan, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the defense of fort Stephenson, and that he present a sword to each of the following officers engaged in that affair: to Captain James Hunter, to the eldest male representative of Lieutenant Benjamin Johnston [sic], and to Lieutenants Cyrus A. Baylor, John Meek, Ensign Joseph Duncan, and the nearest male representative of Ensign Edmund Shipp, deceased. Approved, February 13, 1835." The sword presented to Captain James Hunter is pictured and discussed on page 96 of "The Ames Sword Company, 1829-1935" by Hamilton and is also on pages 104-105 of "Steel Canvas: Artistry in Arms" by Wilson and listed as from the Flayderman collection. Benjamin Johnson (c. 1790-1830), of Boon County, Kentucky, was later a captain in the in the 2nd Regiment of Riflemen from March 17, 1814 until his discharge on June 15, 1815. He was also a representative in the Kentucky Legislature. He died on November 27, 1830, leaving behind his wife and two children. On August 2, 1813, Lt. Johnson was among the approximately 160 men under the command of Major George Croghan who stayed to defend Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky River even after General William Henry Harrison had recommended they destroy the fort and retreat in the face of a superior combined force of an estimated 1,400 British soldiers and allied Indian warriors under General Henry Procter and Tecumseh. In the ensuing battle, the Americans successfully defended the fort by holding their fire until their adversaries were nearly at the walls. The Americans had only one cannon, "Old Betsy," which they used to great effect against the amassed attackers at close range. The British assault force gathered in a ditch along the fort walls allowing the Americans to concentrate their fire on them from the walls and send raking fire from "Old Betsy." The battle concluded quickly after Procter saw the walls would hold and the first assault force was cut down. Croghan wrote to Harrison: " Dear Sir: The enemy made an attempt to storm us last evening, but was repulsed, with the loss of at least two hundred killed, wounded, and prisoners. One Lieutenant Colonel Short, a Major, and a Lieutenant, with about forty privates, are dead in our ditch. I have lost but one in killed and but a few wounded. Further statements will be made you by the bearer." Prior to the battle, the British had tried to scare the Americans into surrender by stating they could not prevent the Indians from conducting a general massacre once the fort fell, but the Ensign Shipp responded by saying: "When the fort shall be taken there will be none to massacre. It will not be given up while a man is able to resist." The British and their native allies had previously succeeded in driving American forces from the field by using fear of massacres and mutilation by Indian warrior, but the regulars under Croghan were not faint of heart. Following the battle, Croghan and his men were rightly heralded as national heroes. They could have retreated as instructed, but they resolved to face the enemy without the backing of Harrison's forces. Croghan was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Johnson was promoted to captain in the 2nd Regiment of Riflemen and continued to defend the region. Procter gave up his attempt to take the region and retreated to Canada and lost the support of some of his Indian allies. The British subsequently suffered heavily in the Battle of Lake Erie against Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry on September 10, 1813. Proctor and Tecumseh were defeated, and the latter killed, by the American forces under General Harrison at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. Andrew Jackson was leading U.S. forces in Louisiana at the time of the defense of Fort Stephenson and became a national hero for his famous defense of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. Like the officers at Fort Stephenson, Jackson successfully led a smaller, less experienced force of roughly 5,700 men in a successful defense against a superior British force of around 8,000 men under Major General Sir Edward Pakenham. Given this, you can imagine Jackson probably felt real comradery with the men who defended Fort Stephenson and was proud to bestow this sword and the others to the men and the families of the men who defended Fort Stephenson. A report by Nancy Dearing Rossbacher is included with the sword covering its history and the history of the related events and the other presentation swords.

Excellent with bright solid gold on the scabbard and hilt, fairly bright very fine blade with some darker gray patina and minor staining, a few dings and small dents on the hilt, and generally only minor age and storage related wear. This is an incredible sword with a fascinating history connecting it to a heroic moment during the War of 1812, often called our "second war of independence." It was this war, and our victories in it, that finally pushed the British out of the central U.S. where they had continued to linger and meddle since the end of the American Revolution a few decades earlier by supplying Native American warriors. This extraordinary sword will certainly be the pinnacle any U.S. military or Americana collection. Quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a true national treasure!