Description
One of the most difficult to find Civil War swords, the elusive Ames cavalry officer! This gem popped out of an estate sale in St. Louis, Missouri, about 20 years ago. How it got there is anybody’s guess. It is an exceptional example of an impossible to locate pattern–in 45+ years, I have only seen about SIX. This example is positively identified to Ferris Jacobs who enlisted in 1861 and served until 1865, leaving service as a Brevet General! Jacobs served mostly in the 3rd New York Cavalry and for a short while at the end of the War in the 26th NY Cavalry. Most of his duty was in North Carolina and Virginia throughout the Civil War. The sword is accompanied by the original kid leather case and sword knot and a large binder of research. At some point it time, the scabbard was bright nickle plated as often seen by GAR members who continued to carry their field weapons for parades and assemblies.
This is a RARE pattern and with ID, a true investment grade edged weapon.
Residence Delhi, NY; 25 years old.
Enlisted on 7/6/1861 at Delhi, NY as a Captain.
On 8/22/1861, he was commissioned into “E” Co. New York 3rd Cavalry.
He was Mustered Out on 10/12/1864 at Varina, VA
On 3/15/1865, he was commissioned into Field & Staff New York 26th Cavalry.
He was Mustered Out on 7/1/1865 at Albany, NY
Promotions:
- Major 6/12/1863
- Lt Colonel 6/18/1864
- Brig-General 3/13/1865 by Brevet
- Lt Colonel 3/1/1865 (As of 26th NY Cavalry)
- Colonel 6/14/1865
Born 3/20/1836 in Delhi, NY
Died 8/30/1886 in White Plains, NY
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From
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To
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Brigade
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Division
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Corps
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Army
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Comments
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| Sep ’61 | Mar ’62 | Cavalry | Bank’s | Army of Potomac | ||
| Oct ’61 | Mar ’62 | Cavalry | Stone’s | Army of Potomac | 6 Cos. | |
| Apr ’62 | Jan ’63 | Cavalry | Department of North Carolina | |||
| Dec ’62 | May ’63 | Unatt Cav | 18 | Department of North Carolina | ||
| Apr ’63 | Jun ’63 | Keystone | Dist of Pamlico | 18 | Department of North Carolina | 2 Cos. |
| May ’63 | Jun ’63 | Leahman’s | Dist of Albemarle | 18 | Department of North Carolina | Co. D |
| May ’63 | Jun ’63 | Dist of Beaufort | 18 | Department of North Carolina | Cos. B, C | |
| May ’63 | Jul ’63 | Cavalry | 18 | Department of North Carolina | ||
| Jul ’63 | Aug ’63 | Cavalry | Defenses of New Berne | 18 | Department of North Carolina | |
| Aug ’63 | Oct ’63 | Defenses of New Berne | Dist of North Carolina | 18 | Department of Virginia and North Carolina | |
| Oct ’63 | Apr ’64 | US Forces, Newport News | 18 | Department of Virginia and North Carolina | ||
| Dec ’63 | Mar ’64 | Dist of Currituck | 18 | Department of Virginia and North Carolina | Cos. B, C | |
| Apr ’64 | Dec ’64 | 1 | Cavalry | 18 | Army of the James | |
| Dec ’64 | May ’65 | Norfolk and Portsmouth | Dist of Eastern VA | 18 | Army of the James |
