The owner of this sword personally led his troops in the brutal fights at Antietam and Gettysburg, and he was mortally wounded at The Crater.
Presented to Major Jacob Parker Gould of the 13th Massachusetts Volunteers by his enlisted men, this high grade presentation sword was a very expensive token of their esteem.
Gould was a - lead by example- combat officer with an intense sense of duty and patriotism. Gould fought at 2nd Bull Run in McDowell's brigade where the 13th Mass lost 38 Killed. He led the unit at the blood bath at Antietam a few weeks later. Gould's September 18th after action report on Antietam stated ... - IT WAS THE SEVEREST BATTLE I EVER EXPECTED TO WITNESS... MANASSAS WAS A SKIRMISH COMPARED WITH IT --- At Gettysburg The regiment initially fought on the extreme northern end of the Federal line along Oak Ridge. It took part in a charge that resulted in the capture of 132 Confederate prisoners, including 7 commissioned officers. The collapse of the 11th Corps on the right flank forced it into a retreat through the town to Cemetery Hill in which it lost a hundred men captured. On the evening of July 2nd the regiment returned to Cemetery Hill to support Ricketts and Wiedricks batteries which were being charged by the Louisiana Tigers. As one officer reported --- We were thrown in front of these guns with orders to hug the ground as closely as possible while the batteries fired over us. At daylight we found ourselves in front of the batteries facing the town... an uncomfortable position on account of the sharpshooters who were posted in houses facing the hill. And like the man at The Donnybrook Fair wherever they saw a head, were there to hit it.

On July 3rd they were sent to support the center during Pickett's Charge. The 13th reached the point of attack as the enemy was forced back by the Second Corps.
At Gettysburg the 13th Massachusetts brought 284 men to the field, it lost 7 killed, 77 wounded and 101 missing or captured. In other words... only 99 men available on the field on the 4th of July 160 years ago this month.
Gould was born in 1822 ... 41 years old at this time. He returned to Massachusetts to do recruiting duty and hopefully attain restorative vigor. He expressed a wish to retire... resign his commission. But the Governor implored him to remain in the field and offered him the colonelcy of the 59th Mass Infantry. Gould accepted. This was fateful.
At the Battle of The Crater while leading his regiment he was hit in the left leg by a rebel minie ball just below his knee. This shattered his bone and drove him to the ground. He was rescued and carried from the field and eventually arrived at the field hospital where the surgeon amputated his leg above the knee. Gould died four weeks later.

The sword is in excellent attic found condition with rich patina on the high relief patriotic mounts and guard. The blade is outstanding with 90% frosty luster and rich etching. It has NEVER been on the collector market previously.
Materials, Packing, and UPS Shipping on this item is $45.00. Insurance is $1.50 per hundred. UPS charges $5.25 for the signature required service. Insurance $1.50 per hundred.