Lt. V. K. Spear's Sword
The collection
of Paul R. Johnson,
M.D., F.A.C.S.
Foot officers sword inscribed to and
carried by Lt. Vivian K. Spear, who served with the 38th Massachusetts
Vols.. The sword is an 1862 dated example by AMES and bears the inspector's
initials "J.H." (Joseph Hannis). LT. Spear was seriously wounded in June,
1863 at the Battle of Port Hudson and is duly noted in the 38th's regimental
history. He was cared for by his regiment's surgical staff, including
Assistant Surgeon George F. Thomson.
Spear's sword appears to have suffered
whilst he was wounded, including some scabbard leather damage and a knock on
the knuckle bow quillon which appears to have bent in downwards a bit.
| Foot officers sword inscribed to and
carried by Lt. Vivian K. Spear, who served with the 38th
Massachusetts Vols.. |
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CDV of Vivian K. Spear, Lt. 38th Mass.
Vols. and signed this way on the back. He is holding the VERY
SAME sword which is displayed in this section. This is
obviously prior to his wounding, and there is no damage to the
sword (or Lt. Spear!). No photographer's backmark.
CDV of Assistant Surgeon George F.
Thomson and autographed: "Geo. F. Thomson, Assistant Surgeon,
38th Regt. M.V.. "M.S." appears in his hat device.
Photographed by: "J. H. Young's Photographic Gallery, 231
Baltimore St., Cor. of Charles." Dr. Thomson cared for Lt.
Spear and others wounded during the regiment's assault on Port
Hudson, La., June, 1863.
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CDV of Assistant Surgeon Edwin Ward, 38th
Mass. and another doctor who treated V. K. Spear during his wounding
at Port Hudson, La., 1863. Autographed CDV by H. J. Reed,
Worcester, Mass. Dr. Ward is in civilian frock coat. |
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Ames M 1850 Foot Officer's sword with
hilt inscription: "Lieut. V. K. Spear, Co. E., 38th Mass.
Vols."
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Hilt of Lt. Spear's sword by Ames, with
"J. H." indicating inspector John Hannis, who was working at
Ames Manufacturing Co. as Government inspector.
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| Lt. Spear's Foot Officer's sword with
1862 date on blade. Sword manufactured by Ames. Note the bent down
quillon of the knuckle guard, presumably occuring during Lt. Spears
traumatic wounding at Port Hudson, La., in 1863. |
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| Close up view of the Ames Manufacturing
Co., Chicopee, Mass. makings stamped upon the upper scabbard brass
throat fitting. Similar etched markings are noted on the blade |
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