Fitting sword for a chaplain?

[major bill]

Besides being strong (Chaplain Strong), this chaplain had a sword to 'encourage' the men to attend Sunday service. Did chaplains really need swords?

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Here are a few examples of Civil War swords presented to chaplains.

https://historical.ha.com/itm/edged-weapons/swords/most-rare-absolutely-authentic-civil-war-m1860-staff-and-field-officer-s-sword-presented-to-a-chaplain/a/6088-52156.s

REVEREND GENERAL AND FIGHTING CHAPLAIN: 1860 STAFF SWORD PRESENTED IN 1861 BY HIS STUDENTS TO REVEREND J.B. VAN PETTEN: CHAPLAIN TO FIELD OFFICER AND BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL, WOUNDED IN ACTION AT THIRD WINCHESTER AND CITED FOR GALLANT CONDUCT — Hors

 

[R. Porter]

To be fair, the M1860 is the least likely Civil War sword that someone would fight with. Perhaps more like turning the other cheek than offering a stiff resistance. It serves well as a badge of rank which chaplains who were officers would need.

 

[7thWisconsin]

There was no sword prescribed in the uniform regulations for chaplains, so they were very much on their own discretion. Like other officers, they would need to purchase their arms privately. Any of the thin-bladed militia officer swords would be appropriate. Chaplain Gordon Winslow of the 5th NY is pictured wearing a sword much like the one described. I wouldn´t rule out an 1860 saber, or an 1858 foot officer sword, but they are fighting weapons that a chaplain would fine to really get in the way more than act as a badge of rank. (When I´ve portrayed a chaplain, I wear a Masonic Templar sword of the period.)

 

[General Casey]

I believe one of the reasons Chaplain Horatio Howell of the 90th Pennsylvania was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg was because he was wearing a sword and a Confederate soldier assumed he was a field officer.

 

[Texas Priest]

I believe one of the reasons Chaplain Horatio Howell of the 90th Pennsylvania was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg was because he was wearing a sword and a Confederate soldier assumed he was a field officer.

I completely concur... the same reason medics no longer wear a red cross in the field.

 

[Texas Priest]

There was no sword prescribed in the uniform regulations for chaplains, so they were very much on their own discretion. Like other officers, they would need to purchase their arms privately. Any of the thin-bladed militia officer swords would be appropriate. Chaplain Gordon Winslow of the 5th NY is pictured wearing a sword much like the one described. I wouldn´t rule out an 1860 saber, or an 1858 foot officer sword, but they are fighting weapons that a chaplain would fine to really get in the way more than act as a badge of rank. (When I´ve portrayed a chaplain, I wear a Masonic Templar sword of the period.)

I agree with the use of a militia-style sword for a Chaplain but I would think that a sword of any kind by Chaplains would have been purely an item for ceremonial occasions and not for field use. There are numerous examples of Chaplains wearing military accouterments, most are in ceremonial or posed photographs. I have considered adding a foot officer sword and staff officer sash to my impression at the military balls, but I want to see some evidence first... as always.
Like you said, "much on their own discretion".

 

[SethJ]

I had no clue that Chaplains would at all carry swords, but considering that I am planning a Chaplain Impression (not for myself mind you), I think it would be interesting to add.
Thank you for enlightening me to yet another interesting part of history I wouldn't otherwise know.