?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 6,000 - $ 8,000
INCLUDING HIS ENGRAVED DRESS SABER (MILITARY--CIVIL WAR.) SPEARS, DAVID. Archive of material for 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry veteran David Spears. Includes: his non-commissioned officer's parade saber by Empson & Silver, in its original leather scabbard, somewhat dry, but intact, several medals, including Spears's 1898 Reunion medal, G.A.R. card, receipt, booklet "Report of the Commissioner of Pensions" [1914], National Encampment medal, Ohio Centenary medal, etc. condition generally very good. should be seen Vp, 1870-1914
A truly exceptional grouping from this Civil War veteran of the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. David Spears was born in Shelby County, Ohio in 1844. He joined the Union army on May 13th, 1863 and served as a private, promoted rapidly to corporal and then full sergeant. He was wounded at the battle of Honey Hill. Several books have been written about the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and their commander Robert Gould Shaw, and more recently, the film "Glory" brought the actions of these gallant men to the attention of the general public. Yet few people are aware of the 54th's sister regiment, the 55th, recruited at the same time and trained at the same camp. Both endured 18 months without pay, and less than gracious treatment by their government. The 54th was the first to see battle, on July 18th 1863. Only hours later, the 55th received their Regimental colors from Massachusetts Governor John Andrews. They would face the enemy together on November 30th 1864 at the Battle of Honey Hill. The action was meant to open a breach in the Rebel defenses of Charleston and Savannah. Colonel Alfred Hartwell led the attack which proved to be bloody: "The leading brigade had been driven back, when I was ordered in with a portion of my brigade; and I was also knocked out. I was hit first in the hand just before making a charge, then my horse was killed under me, and I was hit afterwards several times while they were taking me to the rear. One of my aides, Captain [William] Crane, was killed, and another, Lieutenant Hill was blown from his horse by a concussion of a shell and taken to the rear." David Spears is cited several times in "Voices of the 55th. Letters from the 55th Massachusetts Volunteers," [Dayton: Morningside Press, 1996] including one long letter (page 173) to an historian in which he offers his recollections of the battle of Honey Hill: "we took up our march on the 30th for Honey Hill. . .After we had received instructions we stood there for a little while, and I could hear the musketry and cannons roar, and hear some one hollering, ["]Oh my left, Oh my arm[."] Things had begun to get serious then . . .The first dead I saw was Captain [William D.] Crane, and a horse dead close to his side, I had to step right[.] Among the wounded was General Hartwell; and he wounded in his right hand. . .I saw Hartwell when he raised up his arm with his handkerchief. . .then took up his sword in his hand and rode to the front. . ." Spears returned to civilian life in Ohio as a farmer. He married twice, but had no children. He died just short of his 90th birthday in a freak accident. While filling a kerosene lantern that was still lit, the liquid spilled on his clothing and he was burned to death.We know of no other African-American Civil War soldier's sword to have come on the market in the last 20 years.
