Patrick Cleburne's sword (iso reproduction)

[Enoch L. Cade]

Hello all. I'm trying to run down some information about the sword carried by Patrick Cleburne at Franklin, and where it might be possible to obtain a reproduction. This would be for a display in a home museum.

Thanks to all for your wisdom and kindness.

 

[johan_steele]

His sword resides in the Atlanta History Center. You'd want to get a picture of that, verify the model and pick up a repop. If you want the specific engravings a jeweler could likely do it easily enough.

 

[gjpratt]

I could be way off base as I am going by sheer memory. I have tried to track down a photo of this sword previously and it was frustrating. I am sure I have seen a photo somewhere -- internet photos on the Atlanta History Society web page or its reference book by Beverly Dubose or Albaugh or Collecting the Confederacy. I just have not had the motivation for a deeper dive into reference sources. My recollection is that it is a high-grade staff and field officer sword in the style of a US M1850, with pierced CS in the guard instead of US. IIRC, it was custom made by Haiman. There was a shamrock or heart either on the hilt or scabbard. The statue of Cleburne at Ringgold includes a detailed rendition of the sword.

 

[gjpratt]

Well, that did not age well. I found this description of the sword per the Atlanta History Center, but no corresponding photos:

This sword belonged to Confederate General Patrick Cleburne, who was born in Ireland but immigrated to the US during the Great Famine. The sword is engraved with an Irish harp representing Cleburne's heritage. While Cleburne was a distinguished military leader due to his experience, he faced prejudice as an Irish immigrant after his death, reflecting the broader treatment of Irish immigrants in America at the time. The sword was donated to the Atlanta History Center in 1989 by Beverly M. DuBose.

Even better, I finally found a photo. Close to my recollection but deficient in many of the details (shows the frailties of memory, especially as we age):

An unknown maker produced the sword in Solingen, Prussia, circa 1864. Hammond Marshall of Atlanta, a dentist and jewelry maker, engraved the weapon.

(Photo courtesy Atlanta History Center)
Soldiers of the 15th​ Arkansas Infantry – Cleburne's adopted state -- presented him the sword on April 18, 1864. The scabbard features an Irish harp and the state seal of Arkansas is on the blade.Cleburne was among six Confederate generals killed later that year at Franklin, Tenn. Before he set out, the officer uttered, "Well if we are to die, let us die like men."

The "100 Objects" book features this postscript:

"Cleburne staff sent the sword to his fiancée, Susan Tarleton, in Alabama. It remained in the Tarleton family until 1944. It was discovered in an umbrellas stand in a New England antique store in the 1950s, after which it was purchased and donated to Atlanta History Center."

I think my recall was influenced by the sword depicted in the statue.