Biography:

(See link below to view Sword)

An ornate PRESENTATION INSCRIBED MODEL 1850 STAFF AND FIELD OFFICERS’ SWORD, WITH SILVER GRIP . Presentation inscribed in five lines on the flat portion of the brass scabbard, between the ring bands: Presented to First Lieut. F.L. French/ by the Privates/of Light Co. I, 1st U.S. Artillery/as a token of their respect and esteem. Very ornate brass guard and pommel cap with silver grip. Detailed pommel cap at the side contains a three-dimensional head within a wreath. Top of pommel cap is engraved about the outer perimeter of the oval with the words: BREVETS/ANTIETAM/COLD HARBOR/FAIR OAKS . Ornate gold -washed and engraved blade. On the obverse side, within a large panel is the patriotic phrase FOR THE UNION AND THE CONSTITUTION . Front side, in ornate floral script are the letters WE and an American Eagle logo and E Pluribus Unum . The maker’s name and trademark are stamped on the ricasso: W/Clauberg-Soliongen . Overall in very good condition.

First Lieutenant F.L. French was the son of Major General William H. French of the 1st U.S. Artillery. Lieut. Francis L. (“Frank” Sands) French was commissioned into the U.S. Regular Army (Artillery) on Sept. 27, 1861,

Lieut. French was seriously wounded at the fierce Battle of Ball’s Bluff, Va. on October 21, 1861. All of the men in his unit were either killed or wounded. Lt. French returned to duty before completely recovering from his wounds and he continued to serve with distinction, participating in many subsequent major battles of the Civil War. He was field promoted several times, rising to the level of brevet Lieut. Colonel. He died of tuberculosis on September 4, 1865, his weakened state undoubtedly aggravated by his war wounds and years of hard war service. He was 23 years old at the time of his death.

There is much paperwork, provenance, and archival records accompanying this sword. The paperwork also includes the only single known photograph (copy) of Lt. F.L. French, taken during a meeting of Maj.Gen. Wm. H. French and staff at Culpeper, Virginia, in September 1863. It shows Lt. French as the only officer sitting, in a campaign chair, while all the other staff officers are standing. There is some speculation that he was the only officer seated due to his infirmity as a result of his war wounds, from which he never fully recovered.

Link:

http://www.moreau.com/item--Sword-Civil-War-Presentation-1st-Lieut-...

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=French&GSfn=F...

Compiled by D. Glenn