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FINE AND RARE TILTON, GEORGIA MADE SWORD OF LT.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
FINE AND RARE TILTON, GEORGIA MADE SWORD OF LT.

JAMES YOUNG, 42ND GEORGIA INFANTRY. This may be the only Tilton, Georgia made sword w/ complete original scabbard in fine overall condition. Though this sword is unmarked, it has known Tilton features, especially the shape of blade, hilt & pommel. The hilt his heavy, solid cast w/ no decoration, unique w/ no more than 3 or 4 specimens known. The scabbard is complete w/ all 3 brass mounts. This sword has 2 letters of provenance telling the history & direct family descent. Lt. James H. Young (1833-1862) was one of 10 members of "Dekalb Rangers", Company D, 42nd Georgia Inf. killed December 29, 1862 at the battle of Chickasaw Bluffs. The battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, known during the war as the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, was the first engagement of the Union army in the federal campaign to capture Vicksburg. General Tecumseh Sherman in maybe his only losing battle, attacked strong Confederate positions w/ over 1700 Union casualties, only 200 Confederate casualties. Even though the 6,000 Confederates were greatly outnumbered, they were well entrenched. Sherman had 32,000 men at this point. This would be the first time Sherman would make direct, frontal attack on heavily defended earthworks. The 42nd Georgia was one of 4 Georgia regiments in Major General Martin Luther Smith's division. James' body was transported after the battle back to Georgia & was buried at Cool Springs Cemetery in Dekalb county. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 2 letters of provenance telling history & direct family descent. CONDITION: very good overall, gray blade w/ staining (appears never to have been cleaned). Brass hilt, pommel & scabbard mounts toned to light mustard patina. Leather scabbard body sound retaining much of its original polish w/ scuffing & craquelure open seam where shown. PROVENANCE: Lt. James Young, 42nd Georgia; George T. Young (son); Mary Young Carroll (granddaughter); Bobbie Carroll Osgoode (great granddaughter); ex-collection of Jerry Garrett, 2010. (02-16613/JS). $7,000-9,000.