Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An American Civil War Presentation Sword, the slightly curved 86 cm blade with single fuller by ‘Klingenthal’ the blade etched with trophies of war and scrolling foliate panels, the gilt brass pierced hand guard incorporating the American Eagle, the urn shaped pommel Medusa head backstrap with plain panel below engraved ‘Col. GEO. F. Shepley, 12th Me. Regt. from his brethren of the Cumberland Bar’, wire bound fish skin grip, together with its steel and gilt brass mounted scabbard, the blade stained overall, the scabbard with one minor dent otherwise good overall condition £500-£700

George Foster Shepley (born Saco, Maine 1819 - died Portland, Maine 1878). Graduating from Dartmouth in 1837 he began his law practice in Bangor, Maine in 1839. Served as U.S. District Attorney for Maine 1848-49. Commanded the 12th Maine Volunteers in 1861 and served as Military Commandant of New Orleans 1862. Men under his command were the first to enter Libby Prison. In charge of the defences of New Orleans, he was appointed Military Governor of Louisiana 1862-64. Later under the command of General Weitzel of the XXV Army Corps, he was appointed Military Governor of Richmond. After the war he was a U.S. Court circuit judge overseeing equity and patent cases.