June 6, 1861. |
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| Anderson's sword. |
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Taunton, Massachusetts, impressed with a sense of his patriotism and prowess, had voted him an elegant sword, the handle of which is of carved ivory, surmounted by a figure of Liberty.
The scabbard was of beautiful design and workmanship, wrought of the richest gold plate, and ornamented with a view of Fort Sumter, and with military emblems.1 The authorities of New York presented him with the freedom of the city in an elegant Gold Box, in the form of a casket, oblong octagonal in shape.2 The citizens of New York presented to him a beautiful gold medal, appropriately inscribed ;3 and those of Philadelphia gave him a very elegant sword, the i handle and upper part of the scabbard of which are delineated in the engraving.4 From other sources, such as societies and legislative bodies, he received pleasing testimonials of the good — will of his countrymen.
Finally, the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York ordered
the execution of a series of medals, of an appropriate character, to be presented to Major Anderson, and to each officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier engaged in the defense of Fort Sumter.
These were of four classes.
The first, for presentation to Major Anderson, was six inches in diameter, bearing,
on one side, a medallion portrait.
of the commander, and on the other the Genius or Guardian Spirit of America rising from Fort Sumter, with the American flag in the left hand, and the flaming torch of war in the right.
The idea symbolized was the loyal spirit of the country, calling upon all patriots to arouse and resent the insult to the
1 On the scabbard was the following inscription:--“Deo duci, ferro comitante.” Upon the handle, on a solid gold shield, was the following inscription :--“Et decus et pretum recte. The citizens of Taunton, Massachusetts, to Major Robert Anderson, U. S. A. A tribute to his courage and fidelity. Acquirit qui tactus.”
This sword was presented to Major Anderson at the Brevoort House, New York, by W. C. Lovering, on the 22d of April.2 This box, represented on the preceding page, was five and a half inches in length, two inches in width, and not quite three inches in depth. Its whole surface, excepting the place of the inscription, was elaborately wrought in arabesque figures, giving it a very rich appearance. On the top of the clasp was an American eagle about to soar. On the top of the lid were two figures. One represented Major Anderson, kneeling on one knee in the attitude of the recipient of knighthood. In one hand he clasps a flag-staff, over which droops the American ensign. In the other hand he holds a sword. Near him stands a figure of Liberty, with her right hand pointing toward heaven, and with the left hand placing a laurel crown on the head of the kneeling hero. On the front of the box was the following inscription:--“The freedom of the city of New York conferred upon Major Robert Anderson by its corporate authorities, in recognition of his gallant conduct in defending Fort Sumter against the attack of the rebels of South Carolina, April 12, 1861.”
3 The gold medal was two and a half inches in diameter. On one side was a representation of the bombardment of a fort on fire; on the other a wreath of laurel, just within the outer rim, clasped by the American shield. Inside of this wreath the words, “Prudens fidelis et audax invictoe fidelitatis proemiumm” Then there was a little circle of thirty-four stars, within and across the face of which were the words:--“To Major Robert Anderson, U. S. A., from the citizens of New York City, as a slight tribute to his patriotism.”
4 The handle and guard of this sword were set with stones. The guard was open basket-work at the broad part, in which was a shield of blue enamel bearing the cipher, in script, of Major Anderson, neatly wrought in gold and. set in brilliants. On the handle were three lozenge-shaped amethysts bordered with brilliants. The scabbard is heavy gilt. At the first belt-ring are seen the arms of Pennsylvania on an escutcheon, and between them the words:--“The city of Philadelphia to Robert Anderson, U. S. A., April 22, 1861. A loyal city to a loyal soldier, the hero of Fort Sumter.” At the next belt-ring the arms of Pennsylvania on another escutcheon.
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