High-grade officer's presentation sword, inscribed to Captain Robert Galway of Company D, 9th Pennsylvania Reserves for heroism in battle. [Solingen, Germany.] Overall 41 3/4". 

33 1/2", slightly curved spear-point blade with stopped median fuller. Blade acid-etched with panoplies of arms and foliate motifs. Obverse of the blade etched "Eisenhauer." Gilt brass half-basket guard with elaborately cast acanthus and floral motifs. Phrygian cap pommel and shagreen-wrapped grooved grip. A steel scabbard with gilt brass mounts, throat, and drag complements the sword. The cast mounts are accented with the eagle/shield/scroll motif. 

The scabbard throat is inscribed: "Presented to / R. Galway, by his friends / for gallant & meritorious conduct at / the battle of Drainesville [sic]." 

Prior to the war, Robert Galway (alt. Galaway) was the president of the Pittsburgh Insurance Company with a clear talent for leadership. He enlisted early on 3 May 1861, receiving a Captain's commission and command of Company D of the 9th Pennsylvania Reserves (38th Pennsylvania Infantry) the same day. Each company was formed out of Pennsylvania militia groups, with Company D comprised of The Government Guards of Allegheny County. Initially armed with Model 1842 smoothbore muskets, the company quickly upgraded to Model 1862 Springfield rifles. 

As part of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, Company D traveled to the Washington, D.C. area where they constructed earthen fortifications around the capitol. In December 1861, they had entered winter quarters at Camp Pierpont. On the 19th, a scout reported that nearby Confederates were planning to forage around Dranesville, a small town only 20 miles west of Washington and an important source of supplies. Under the command of Gen. Edward C. Ord, the Pennsylvania Reserves marched on Dranesville with orders to drive back skirmishers and forage any supplies. Ord pushed his men not actively foraging into Dranesville, where they met Confederate troops under the command of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. 

Galway and the men of the 9th Pennsylvania Reserve were under the command of Colonel Conrad Feger Jackson and positioned west of Centreville Road facing a dense copse of trees. They were unaware that just on the other side of the trees, the 1st Kentucky Infantry was poised for action. Galway recognized the danger and alerted his men just as the Confederates began their volley. Several were wounded in their initial attack, including Galway, who was shot in the leg, but the Keystone men returned fire and flushed the enemy out of the woods. 

Ord's brigade won the day, pushing Stuart's forces from the vicinity. Although the victory was of little strategic importance, it was a significant achievement for Union morale as it was the first triumph against the Confederates in Virginia. 

General McCall's report on the battle commended the 9th: "The number killed found in front of the position occupied by the Ninth infantry, Colonel Jackson, is, in my estimation, proof enough of the gallantry and discipline of that fine regiment..." Their actions were widely praised and they received a personal visit from Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin shortly thereafter. Curtin declared that "the officers and men who were engaged... may be assured that Pennsylvania is not insensible to their martial virtue, and from them and their fellows, confidently looks for as many further illustrations of it as there shall be opportunities afforded them."

Galway, however, was never able to fully recover from the wound he received in battle and resigned in June 1862. Still a passionate leader, he raised the 15th Pennsylvania Militia during the Confederate invasion of Maryland in September 1862. Although they never saw action in the field, they were in the vicinity of Hagerstown as the Battle of Antietam raged. 

Tragically, the aftereffects of the battle would haunt Galway. He died at a hotel in downtown Pittsburgh on 11 November 1864 from "disease of the brain" caused by intemperance, or excessive use of morphine. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades, Presentation Sword]

Condition as pictured