The scabbard included with this sword is inscribed "J. Sullivant/to/Col. James A. Wilcox/113th O.V.I. on the right of the throat. James Andrews Wilcox was a 35 year old lawyer in Columbus, Ohio when he enlisted in the Union army on 2 September 1862. On 28 December 1862 he was commissioned colonel of the 113th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.VI.). He resigned his command on 29 April 1863, possibly to return to Ohio to undertake a recruiting roll, as other records indicate that on 1 July 1865 re-enlisted and was mustered out with the regiment 5 days later, and then later that year was promoted to brevet brigadier general for "meritorious services in the recruitment of the armies of the United States". During his absence, command of the regiment appears to have been somewhat of a revolving door, at one point during the Chattanooga campaign falling to a Major Lyne Starling Sullivant, the son of a Joseph S. Sullivant, who was a prominent member of society in Columbus. Interestingly, Joseph was Lyne's father, and also the father of Lucy Madison Sullivant, who married James Wilcox. It appears likely that this sword was presented by James' father-in-law, Joseph Sullivant upon his receiving command of the 113th. It is possible that Wilcox was encourage to step aside from command to clear the path for his brother-in-law Lyne. Regardless of the leadership, the 113th O.V.I. took part in many major engagements while part of the Army of the Cumberland, including Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Knoxville Campaign, and the Atlanta Campaign, during which it was part of the initial attack at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain where they suffered 10 officers and 153 enlisted men killed or wounded attempting to drive the Confederates from entrenched positions. The sword is of the typical Model 1850 pattern with floral and patriotic motifs etched on the blade, "U.S." on the left, and maker's mark on the left ricasso. Brass floral open-work guard and lightly engraved pommel with a wire-wrapped ray skin grip. The blued iron scabbard has brass fittings featuring the previously mentioned inscription on the throat.

Very good, the blade showing mostly a dark grey-brown patina with mostly visible etching. The brass shows an attractive antique patina overall. The scabbard is fine and retains about half of the blue finish with the balance a brown patina and the brass again shows an attractive aged patina. The grip is fine retaining some of the wire wrap and most of the ray skin with a visible split in the left side. A sword with interesting insight into the command structure and family ties of the Civil War!