Rare cavalry officer's saber given to Lt. James B. Talbot (later Captain) of the 1st Indiana Cavalry. Interesting non-regulation sword with a patriotic etched blade and metal scabbard. Top mount is handsomely engraved “Presented to / Lieut. Jas. Talbott / by / Co. D 1st Regt Ind Cavl.”



Talbot was appointed "superintendent of contrabands" in early 1863, and thus tasked with organizing several hundred escaped slaves who had fled to the regiment for protection. These "contraband" escaped slaves were called upon by Talbot to fight, under his direction, with the 1st Indiana Cavalry at the Battle of Pine Bluff in Arkansas. In his official report detailing the battle, Talbot applauded the "contraband" escaped slaves heroic actions which helped Union forces defend the city from Confederate capture. He wrote "every street and opening was blockaded [by the "contraband" escaped slaves], you may judge their efficiency in that respect, especially when you consider that much of the work was accomplished under a heavy fire from the enemy’s skirmishers." As the fight increased, Talbot reported "about this time the danger was imminent of the enemy making a charge down the river under cover of the bank… a breastwork was immediately formed [by the "contraband" escaped slaves] under the bank, and while engaged in this work another was wounded. Fifteen of [the "contraband" escaped slaves] had arms, and were ordered to hold the point along the river, which they did throughout the action, some of them firing as many as 30 rounds, and one actually ventured out and captured a prisoner. None of [the "contraband" escaped slaves] had ever before been in a battle, and the facility with which they labored and the manly efforts put forth to aid in holding the place excelled my highest expectations, and deserves the applause of their country and gratitude of the soldiers. Their loss is 5 killed and 12 wounded.”



Wonderful sword that has slight wear, likely from real field use. It is clear from Captain Talbot's report he saw the escaped slaves under his command as deserving the right to fight for the Union cause, and unquestionably capable of doing so.



[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Slavery, Abolition, Sword, Presentation Sword]