This 19th century French officer's sword has a 29 3/4 inch trefoil blade. The blade has scroll and classical martial etching and a difficult to read maker's mark. The hilt has floral patterns, fulmen (thunderbolts), a twisted wire wrapped antique ivory grip, artillery, colors, a liberty pole, and a banner with illegible markings along with three silver stars on the fixed languet; and a folding languet inscribed "General/Joseph Eggleston Johnson/***/AUGUST 31, 1861/C.S.A." The brass scabbard has laurel, oak leaf and acorn, and other floral patterns on the fittings. Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891) was among the most senior of the Confederate generals during the Civil War. As was common, he had previously had a career as a U.S. officer. He began his career by attending West Point after being nominated by prominent southern statesman John C. Calhoun, then the Secretary of War, and graduated in 1829 along with Robert E. Lee. He was assigned to the 4th U.S. Artillery as a second lieutenant after graduating and rose through the ranks during the Second Seminole War and Mexican-American War and was wounded multiple times. After the latter, he reverted to his rank of captain in the topographical engineers but was soon promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 1st U.S. Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth. As the tensions that erupted in the Civil War came to a head in 1860, Johnston was promoted to brigadier general and Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army. When Virginia seceded, Johnston followed his statesmen and resigned and joined the Confederacy making him the highest ranking former U.S. Army officer to fight against the Union. On August 31, 1861, Johnston was promoted to full general, and he was officially the fourth-highest ranking Confederate officer despite having the highest rank prior to the war. He remained overshadowed by Lee and clashed with President Jefferson Davis. Johnston led the Confederates in many battles and outlasted Lee briefly before surrendering to General William Tecumseh Sherman. After the war, he remained Sherman's friend and was a businessman with roles in the railroads and canals and also served in Congress in 1879-1881 and as railroad commissioner in the 1880s.

Fine overall with mottled gray patina on the blade, attractive aged patina on the brass, and mild overall wear including some faint age cracks in the grip.