Model 1850 Officers Presentation Sword Lt. Frank Wilson of the 19th OH Light Art

Model 1850 Officers Presentation Sword Lt. Frank Wilson of the 19th OH Light Artillery 
Civil War sword inscribed to Lieutenant Frank Wilson of the 19th Ohio Light Battery. Look closely at the drag of this sword, this was a presentation sword that saw time in the field, not one that was just given and left at home. This was likely the sword he carried throughout the entire war! This sword bears the inscription "Lieut Frank Wilson - From the Boys of the - C. & T. R. R. Co." Wilson who enlisted on July 28, 1862 as a First Lieutenant with the 19th Ohio Light Artillery. The sword is beautiful etched with a bold US in the center. There a no knicks in the blade and the scabbard is in beautiful condition besides the period wear on the end cap. There is a period repair on the guard of the scabbard where it appears it may have been separated at a point. On the blade is an inspections stamp of JC from Chattaway ASI Sample arms 1862-1863.
He was promoted later to Captain on November 3, 1864 and mustered out of service on June 27, 1865. The 19th saw service primarily in the South begin with Brunside’s Campaign in Eastern Tennessee, also the Atlanta campaign, Kennesaw Mountain, Nashville campaign, pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River and ending with presence at the surrender of Johnston and his army. The unit also saw duty at Raleigh and Salisbury, NC. The sword has an etched blade and wire wrapped ray skin grip with brass mountings showing a beautiful dark patina; the inscription is on the right side of the throat’s brass mount. The body of the scabbard shows an un-cleaned metal surface. The C. & T. R. R. Co AKA the Cleveland and Toledo Railroad Company was Wilson’s place of employment prior to his enlistment. When the war opened, he had had some service and served as a rider of a lead team on the gun and participated in many battles and skirmishes of the brief West Virginia campaign in 1861. He returned to Cleveland after and in 1862 accepted a commission into the 19th Ohio Light Battery. Wilson was highly regarded in his unit and was a well liked and respected individual. There is a book called the "Annals of the nineteenth Ohio Battery" that goes into depth detail on the unit, its history, and its soldiers. Frank Wilson is mentioned quite a bit throughout this book. You can order a physical copy or find the book online via Google. This is truly a fantastic Civil War Sword with tons of history! This is the sword he carried, look at the sword's drag! It certainly shows its time in the field.