A Confederate Veteran's Sword

[SARGE]

Confederate Veterans wore their old uniforms to reunions or wore their new grey Confederate Veteran or United Confederate Veteran uniforms. They did not wear swords by UCV regulation.

 

That does not mean that Confederate Veterans did not possess swords. Some vets retained their old wartime swords and some owned swords from other fraternal organizations. Here is one such Masonic Knights Templar sword belonging to a Confederate Veteran.

 

 

This Knights Templar sword was made by the Henderson Ames Co. of Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is a standard Masonic sword in every respect with an engraved ivory grip on the silver plated hilt. The reverse grip is engraved with the Templar Cross.

 

 

The obverse grip is elaborately engraved with the initials of the owner, Jesse M. Simpson. Private Jessie M. Simpson served in Company D (Galveston Tigers) of the 57th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War.

 

[SARGE]

Jesse Simpson enlisted in the 57th Virginia Infantry on 10 March 1862. This regiment was originally commanded by Lewis A. Armistead, who later commanded the brigade of which the 57th was a part until his death at Gettysburg in 1863 during Pickett's Charge. Private Simpson participated in this assault and was wounded and became a POW before being parolled. Simpson subsequently fought at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. He was present at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered and was parolled again at Appomattox Courthouse.

 

Simpson's name is etched on the blade and the maker markings on the blade date this particular sword to circa 1893. The silver plated hilt and top fitting were elaborately cast and enameled showing Templar icons. Here is a view of the center band showing the entwined letters "KT" indicating the Knights Templar.

 

 

Here is a view of the drag showing a Maltese Cross and stands of arms.