The sword has a 31 3/4 inch, straight blade with central fullers, 15 1/2 inch etched panels with patriotic and classical martial motifs, gilt cross guard with eagles, liberty caps, martial trophies, scroll and shell accents, and stippled backgrounds; a silver grip engraved with an eagle, classical martial trophies surrounded with a burst pattern, "PRO PATRIA ET GLORIA" (For Country & Glory) in a banner, and "NATIONAL GUARD" in a larger banner on one side and a laurel wreath and burst pattern on the other side, and a gilt eagle pommel with double chain knuckle guard fitted between its beak and the cross guard. The gilt brass scabbard has engraved floral and scroll patterns, foliate suspension bands, a "HORSTMANN/&/SONS/MAKERS/PHILADA" maker's mark on a raised scroll on the reverse, and "Presented to/Capt. Alexander Shaler, by/his Company, as a token of respect/and esteem./New York, June 12th, 1851." inscribed between the suspension bands and surrounded by a floral wreath. Also included is japanned tin with "HORSTMANN BROS. & ALLIEN/No 7/BOND STREET/NEW YORK" maker's plaque on the lid, chained cross pin, and a pair of gilt dress epaulets with two silver stars; a framed copy of "Gen. Shaler's March" composed by E. G. B. Holder, a 1877 letter signed by Shaler as president of the Automatic Signal Telegraph Co. with a certificate of authenticity from the Antietam Battlefield Museum, and a file of documents relating to Shaler's life and military career. Within the file is a portrait of General Shaler in uniform and likely wearing these epaulets and hold the sword as well as his Medal of Honor file from the National Archives, and a 2009 Tops trading card of Shaler. Alexander Shaler (1827-1911) worked as a stone mason under his father as a young man but began his long military career in 1845 when he enlisted in the New York State Militia in the 5th Company of the 3rd Regiment of Artillery, Washington Grays and steadily advanced in rank. In 1848, he joined the 2nd Company, 7th Regiment National Guards, and advanced to captain on March 20, 1850. A month prior to the date of the presentation of the sword, the 7th Regiment received a stand of colors before city hall and drilled and paraded in New York. He remained their captain until he was elected as major of the 7th Regiment on December 13, 1860. Shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War in 1860, he published "Manual of Arms for Light Infantry." With the outbreak of hostilities following secession and the Confederate firing on Fort Sumter, he and the 7th New York were deployed to the defenses of the capital. The Medal of Honor file includes a detailed description of Alexander Shaler's subsequent Civil War career. He mustered in as lieutenant colonel of the 1st U.S. Chasseurs (65th New York Infantry) for three years on June 11, 1861, and became the colonel of the regiment on July 17, 1862, and was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on May 29, 1864. He was the commander of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, VI Army Corps, from March 1, 1863, to March 25, 1864, and then commanded the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, VI Army Corps, until he was captured during the Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia on May 6, 1864. He was exchanged in August 1864 and then was on sick leave until October 21, 1864. He then took command of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, XIX Army Corps until December 27, 1864, followed by the 2nd Division, VII Army Corps until July 1865 and then the White River District in the Department of Arkansas until he mustered out on August 24, 1865. He received a brevet to major general of volunteers with rank from July 27, 1865, for his "meritorious services during the war." The Medal of Honor file mainly concerns the Second Battle of Marye's Heights during the Chancellorsville Campaign in Virginia. Fredericksburg was defended by Major General Jubal A. Early and an estimated 12,000 Confederates and opposed by Major General John Sedgwick's force of around 27,100 men. Shaler was in command of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, VI Corps at this time. The Confederates were dug in on Marye's Heights, but the Union forces launched attacks at the Confederate center nonetheless. The initially attack was defeated, but allowed Union officer's to identify a weakness in the Confederates' right flank. Sedgwick's May 15, 1863, report as commander of the 6th Army Corps notes that at the battle on May 3, 1865, the Union forces shelled the Confederate lines in preparation for an assault. "Two storming columns were formed, composed as follows: Right column, commanded by Col. George C. Spear, who fell while gallantly leading it: the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, Major Dawson, and the Forty-third New York, Colonel Baker. This column was supported by the 67th New York (First Long Island) Colonel Cross, and the Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Major Bassett, under the command of Colonel Shaler." The columns succeeded in driving General Jubal Early's division from the heights. Major George W. Dawson reported The regiment, then under my command, assisted the troops under the command of Colonel Shaler in driving the enemy some three miles along the plank road, and in the direction of Chancellorsville, capturing numbers of prisoners." Lieutenant John R. Johnson documents nominating Shaler for the Medal of Honor provide further details of Shaler's "gallant and distinguished conduct in action" at Marye's Heights on May 3, 1863. Johnson's affidavit states: "I hereby declare that during the attack on Maryes Heights, May 3d 1863, at a most critical time of the action, when the head of the charging column was being crushed under the severe fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry, Genl Alexander Shaler in command of the supporting column, 82nd Pa Vols and the 67th New York, pressed through to the front and by his individual efforts, the line pushed forward piercing the enemy's works on the extreme left of the line turning that flank and materially assisting in the taking of the entire position of the enemy. That on this occasion he displayed great gallantry. All of the above I know personally being present at Lieut C Co. 23rd Rgt Pa Vols on his staff as aid and eye witness to the occurrence, being by the side of Genl Shaler during the incident." A November 10th, 1893, memorandum from the Record and Pension Office of the War Department states: "The Assistant Secretary of War has directed the issue of a medal of honor to Brevet Major General Alexander Shaler, U.S. Volunteers, the medal to be engraved as follows: 'The Congress to Brevet Major General Alexander Shaler, U.S. Volunteers, for Distinguished gallantry at the Battle of Marye's Heights, Virginia, May 3, 1863.'" Shaler wrote that he "fully appreciated the honor thus conferred upon me by the government and shall esteem this recognition of my efforts to advance its standard on the particular occasion referred to, higher than any other token, which could possibly be my good fortune to receive. It will become an heirloom in my family..." and notes that he trusts it will instruct his "descendants, if, at any time our government should be again assailed." Also included are pension documents and other original documents from the National Archives. After the war, Shaler returned to New York where he held various civic positions and was the president of multiple businesses. He was the commissioner of the N.Y.C. Fire Department in 1867-1873 and credited with turning it into one of the best departments in the world. He also headed the N.Y. Commandery of the Loyal Legion and remained active in the state militia as major general and commander of the state's first division and was also chair of the Board of Health in 1883. He was also the president of the Soldiers' Business Messenger and Dispatch Company and one of the founders of the National Rifle Association and was the organization's president in 1876. The NRA was formed in New York by Civil war officers who had seen firsthand the results of poor marksmanship among the largely volunteer forces that fought in the Civil War. The documented noted above is from his time as the president of the Automatic Signal Telegraph Company. It has the "You need not BURN OUT unless you wish to." slogan at the top followed by "The Wires of the Automatic Signal Telegraph Co., flash an alarm to the Fire Department and Insurance Patrol, the instant a fire has started. ALEXANDER SHALER, President. G. W. SWEZEY, Secretary." It is dated March 28, 1877, and addressed to Col. Batchelder noting that Shaler cannot send him $50 for a bill he received at that time and noting "I am awful poor this year but contented nevertheless. Truly Yours, Shaler." Shaler was also mayor of Ridgefield, New Jersey, in 1899-1901.

Fine overall, with mostly bright polished blade with strong etching, nice frosted backgrounds, some minor spotting, and mild wear; distinct designs and aged patina on the brass hilt components, dark aged patina and crisp engraving on the silver grip, and strong original gilt finish, aged patina, crisp engraving and inscription, and mild age and storage related wear on the scabbard. The case and epaulets are also fine with mild age and storage related wear. The framed sheet music has some minor age related discoloration, distinct writing and designs, and mild wear on the frame. This is a unique opportunity to add the sword of a Medal of Honor recipient to your collection.