This sword is almost certainly the sword General Andrew A. Humphreys is wearing in the photograph of President Abraham Lincoln with his officers after the Battle of Antietam as well as multiple other photographs of Humphreys during the war. In well-known photograph from Antietam, Humphreys is the second from the viewer's right at the edge of the main body of officers. Lincoln is near the center of the group, and a young George Armstrong Custer is off somewhat alone to the far right. Most of the other Army of the Potomac leadership is also pictured. The same sword is also part of the statute of Humphreys at the Gettysburg National Military Park. The sword measures 36 5/8 inches overall with a 31 inch etched straight blade and has a diamond cross-section, scroll-themed decoration, and faint maker's marks on the ricasso. The hilt is of gilt brass construction, with a wire wrapped horn grip and a folding counter-guard marked with 3 stars over "EL". The iron scabbard has gilded brass fittings. Andrew Atkinson Humphreys (1810-1883) was born in Philadelphia. Both his father, Samuel, and paternal grandfather, Joshua, served as naval constructors for the U.S. Navy. His grandfather is considered the “father of the U.S. Navy” and designed the Navy’s first frigates in the late 18th century, including the famous U.S.S. Constitution. Instead of following his forefathers into a career in shipbuilding, his father secured him a spot at West Point, and he graduated on July 1, 1831, and served initially as an artillery officer including a brief stint during the Second Seminole War before resigning in September 1836 after becoming ill. He then worked as a civil engineer under Major Bache on improvements at Delaware Bay. When the Army organized the Corps of Topographical Engineers, he was appointed as a first lieutenant on July 7, 1838. From 1850-1861, much of his work related to surveying the Mississippi River and its delta. In this period, he also was assigned by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis to help lead the massive surveys to map out the most efficient route for the Transcontinental Railroad. He also helped design the expansion of the nation’s capital. His talents and notable contributions to science earned him national and international recognition. When the Civil War broke out, he remained with the Union despite his friendship with Jefferson Davis, a brother in the Confederate Navy, and his own political and moral beliefs. These all prevented him from being advanced through political machinations unlike many of the other generals of the war. Instead, Humphreys advanced more slowly but through honest means: his bravery, skill, and knowledge. He served in the Army of the Potomac in a variety of roles including: chief topographical engineer, chief of staff to General Meade, and as the commander of divisions and the famed II Corps. He was received brevet promotions after action in significant battles during the war. On August 6, 1861, he was promoted to major and became chief topographical engineer in the Army of the Potomac under Major General George B. McClellan and was involved in planning the defense of Washington which remained poorly defended despite lessons that should have been learned during the War of 1812. He served under McClellan in the Peninsula Campaign. On April 28, 1862, he was promoted to brigadier general and that September was given command of the 3rd Division of the V Corps which he led in a reserve role at the Battle of Antietam after which he was among the officers photographed with President Lincoln as noted above. At Fredericksburg, his division saw significant action and advanced further than any other in the Union. They managed to cross the Rappahannock River and fix bayonets before they were ultimately sent back from fire from Confederate artillery from Marye's Heights. He had two horse killed, another wounded, and had bullet holes in his uniform after that battle but remained unscathed. Five of his seven officers were also knocked from their horse in the fighting. Commander of the V Corps, General Daniel Butterfield, noted, "General Humphreys personally led his division in the most gallant manner. His attack was spirited, and worthy of veterans. Made as it was by raw troops, the value of the example set by the division commander can hardly be estimated." He received a brevet promotion for his service in that battle. On May 23, 1863, he was placed in command of the 2nd Division of the III Corps. Prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, General Meade requested Humphreys serve as his aide-de-camp, but he instead remained in his command. At Gettysburg, his unit saw significant action at Emmitsburg Road, directly in the path of the main Confederate assault. His men suffered significant losses and pulled back to Cemetery Ridge but were no longer an effective force. He had another horse blown out from under him by an artillery shell during the battle but again remained relatively unscathed. He received the nickname “the Fighting Fool of Gettysburg” and was promoted to major general of volunteers on July 8, 1863, and became Meade's chief of staff from the Bristoe and Mine Run campaigns, the Overland Campaign, and the Siege of Petersburg in 1864. He was then placed in command of the II Corps in November of 1864 and led them in pursuit of his old friend Robert E. Lee and his army. He received another brevet for his service at Sayler’s Creek which ultimately helped lead to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House. His son, Henry Hollingsworth Humphreys, served as a 1st lieutenant in the 2nd Pennsylvania Artillery and also received brevet promotions at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Petersburg and remained with the U.S. Army until retiring in 1899. During parts of the war, he was under the command of his father. In the winter of 1865-66, now major general Humphreys returned to the Mississippi River Delta to oversea reconstruction from both the damage occurred by warfare, neglect, and the great flood in 1862. General Humphrey’s also served as commander of the District of Pennsylvania, and on Aug. 6, 1866, he was appointed chief of engineers in U. S. Army and remained in that position for thirteen years before retiring in 1879 after 52 years in service to our country. Other notable contributions include the establishment of the National Academy of Sciences and the Army’s engineering school at Willets Point, New York. Included is a signed affidavit from the consignor explaining how this item was passed down through the Humphreys family.

Very good with mottled gray patina and oxidation on the blade, overall mild wear, solid binding on the grip which has some faint hairline cracks, and some play in the hilt which has mostly aged patina. The scabbard has extensive oxidation. Very few swords with connections to such illustrious generals of the Civil War era ever become available at public sale. Few still can be seen in well-known photographs from the war, let alone photographs that also include the likes of President Abraham Lincoln. This is the type of historic artifact that museums and private collectors usually only dream of finding.