gjpratt
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2019
- Location
- Central Florida and WNC
I am very fortunate to become the new caretaker of the presentation swords of two Iowa brothers. I have known of these swords for several years. They were family heirlooms in the custody of a direct descendant of James H. Beatty. No one in his family had any interest in the swords or the family genealogy. I had expressed an interest if he was ever going to consider disposing of them and he finally called.
I am posting the only photos I have from the seller while awaiting the arrival and unpacking of the swords. Hers's what I know so far based on Fold3, Find A Grave and basic NPS and internet resources.
First, the swords. The Ames foot officer sword is inscribed on the scabbard throat:
John N. Beatty
Lt. 8th Iowa Vol Inf
Beatty, John N. Age 23. Residence Wapello, nativity Ohio. Appointed Second Lieutenant Sept. 2, 1861. Mustered Sept. 21, 1861. Resigned June 8, 1863. See company E, First Iowa Infantry
If I am interpreting this correctly, this Beatty enlisted in a 90 day unit in response to Lincoln's first call for troops. That term of service expired 8/21/1861. He then enlisted as 2d lieutenant with 8th Iowa on 9/2/1861.
The Non-Regulation staff and field is inscribed on the scabbard:
Presented to
Jas H Beatty
By the 4th Iowa Battery
Jan 1st 1864
Per Fold3 James Helmick Beatty served as a lieutenant in the 4th Iowa Battery. The battery saw service mostly on garrison duty and his service record was nondescript. However, James had a varied and colorful post-war career that earned his own Wiki article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Helmick_Beatty. The article also confirms his service as a lieutenant in the 4th Iowa Battery.
John had a much more interesting CW career. While I have not been able to gather much information on this Lieut. Beatty, his regiment had a stellar record in the Western Theater. My brief research indicates the 8th Iowa Infantry fought extensively (and exclusively) in the Western Theater, most notably at Shiloh, Vicksburg and the Red River and Mobile Campaigns. They were very conspicuous if not decisive at Shiloh, where they suffered devastating casualties and held their ground until forced to surrender. Luckily, this was early in the War so they were exchanged a few months later and the 8th Iowa was refit and brought back to strength with new recruits.
John died in the 1870s. Inferentially, James, who is buried in Los Angeles, maintained his and his older brother's swords and they passed down to my seller who has lived his entire life in the Santa Rosa area.
This is the only time in my collecting years that I have had this kid of luck. Union swords are not my specialty but these were too good a find to turn down.
The sword bayonet was part of the package but there is no further information. I don't know bayonets but it may be post-war?
Edited to add: I have personally inspected the swords when I first learned about them. Both have very nicely preserved etched blades.
I am posting the only photos I have from the seller while awaiting the arrival and unpacking of the swords. Hers's what I know so far based on Fold3, Find A Grave and basic NPS and internet resources.
First, the swords. The Ames foot officer sword is inscribed on the scabbard throat:
John N. Beatty
Lt. 8th Iowa Vol Inf
Beatty, John N. Age 23. Residence Wapello, nativity Ohio. Appointed Second Lieutenant Sept. 2, 1861. Mustered Sept. 21, 1861. Resigned June 8, 1863. See company E, First Iowa Infantry
If I am interpreting this correctly, this Beatty enlisted in a 90 day unit in response to Lincoln's first call for troops. That term of service expired 8/21/1861. He then enlisted as 2d lieutenant with 8th Iowa on 9/2/1861.
The Non-Regulation staff and field is inscribed on the scabbard:
Presented to
Jas H Beatty
By the 4th Iowa Battery
Jan 1st 1864
Per Fold3 James Helmick Beatty served as a lieutenant in the 4th Iowa Battery. The battery saw service mostly on garrison duty and his service record was nondescript. However, James had a varied and colorful post-war career that earned his own Wiki article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Helmick_Beatty. The article also confirms his service as a lieutenant in the 4th Iowa Battery.
John had a much more interesting CW career. While I have not been able to gather much information on this Lieut. Beatty, his regiment had a stellar record in the Western Theater. My brief research indicates the 8th Iowa Infantry fought extensively (and exclusively) in the Western Theater, most notably at Shiloh, Vicksburg and the Red River and Mobile Campaigns. They were very conspicuous if not decisive at Shiloh, where they suffered devastating casualties and held their ground until forced to surrender. Luckily, this was early in the War so they were exchanged a few months later and the 8th Iowa was refit and brought back to strength with new recruits.
John died in the 1870s. Inferentially, James, who is buried in Los Angeles, maintained his and his older brother's swords and they passed down to my seller who has lived his entire life in the Santa Rosa area.
This is the only time in my collecting years that I have had this kid of luck. Union swords are not my specialty but these were too good a find to turn down.
The sword bayonet was part of the package but there is no further information. I don't know bayonets but it may be post-war?
Edited to add: I have personally inspected the swords when I first learned about them. Both have very nicely preserved etched blades.
Last edited:
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Anyway, I've called Michael's attention to this thread and he will be along shortly.
Bringing the