New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-05
The story of q Sword.

COu ID, thus Tor, to make national victory
for their party impossible.
The story of a Sword.
A correspondent of the New York Sun
furnishes the following interesting reminis-
cence of the war. Colonel Waggaman is
now the efficient and respected civil sheriff
Of the pari-h of Orleans, and Robert Nugent,
brouzed and grown gray in the service, Is
stationed in this city in command of his
company. He is the senior captain in the
infantry arm of the service. and will sue
coed to the first vacancy in the grade of
major:
The battle of Malvern Hills, Virginia, was
fought July l, 1862. Toward the close Of
the engagement the Irish Brigade, of which
/ was then an officer, was ordered into
action, and, while sustaining a heavy fire
in front, was taken on the hft flank by the
Tenth Louisiana Volunteers, which, under
cover of some barns, and favored by the in
creasing darkness, had moved down unob-
served and poured in hot right and left
oblique fire on the Sxty-ninth and Eighty
eighth New York Volunteers. The posi-
ton of the combatants was SO close,
and the desperation on both sides
so intense, that hand to hand fight, short,
sharp aud bloody, ensued. Muskets were
cluUbed. and bayOnets freely used on both
sides. During the melee Sergeant Richard
Volunteers, a man Of large proportions and
approved gallaptry, took two of the enemy
prisoners, one of whom be retained, and
Obligingly handed over the other to q
cOmrade for safe keeping. When night put
an end to the fight, Kelly, after disarming
his captive, handed him over to the pro-
vosr guard, but, being a remarkably modest
man, said very little about the affair till
the following letter "a as received in camp
BY the commanding officer OF the regiment:
Fort WARREN, July Is.
To Co'tnel Robert Nugent Sixty ninth New York
Regiment:
SlR-At the battle OF Malvern Hills or
Turkey Bend, fought on the evening of the
first Of July, l was taken prisoner by your
regiment, and lost by that issue a sword in
trinsica9ly valuable. and still more so BY
family associations After most courteous
assurances from several gentlemen of rank
in your army that the step am now taking
would not be out of order. have determn-
ed to resort 10 it as the surest means of re-
covering the priced weapon. l therefore
beg Of you as soldier to honor soldiers
wish, and if it can be found, either to re-
dispose of it as would still enable me t.
claim it when exchanged. l will state, to
facilitate the recovery, that the sword was
thrown upon the field without it's
ecabbard. should have said sabre.
TOR such it lie, and OF rather ancient
model. 1t is English manufacture, the
name of Saunders being stamped upon the
hilt. The heft is of ivory, yellowed by age,
guarded by two broad open worked Ranches
ontil lrva~ rhat r-t hant It's
back. The blade is perfectly plain, and
gives evidence of being much reduced from
it's original thickness. was taken to your
camp by Sergeant Kelly, an old soldier,
taken prisoner when the war broke out
with the troops in Texas. l mentioned the |
desire had that the sw ord should be taken |
to come officer Of rank, and he told he would |
do so. Should it not have been found, pray
offer any reward you may judge necessary |
erty of making this request, the complying |
with which may be traught with trouble, |
only after long hesitation. and finally do it |
with the trust that it will not be considered |
and with the hope that the re- |
guest will not have less weight because |
made by captive.
Very respectfully, yours,
E WAGGAMAN,
Lieutenant Colonel Tenth Louisiana Regi-
ment.
was in Colonel Nugient's tent when this
etter was received. He Immediately sent |
FOR Kelly and read it to him, telling him at |
The same time that by the usages OF war the
sword was his and he could retain or give
t up at pleasure. shall never forget the
reply az, drawing himself up to
his full height, about Elk feet three inches
ne said: "Coicnel. know that officer very
we'll. served under him in the regulars.
am wiling to return him his sword if you
will write and tell him that the next time
10 uses it l hope it will be in defense of,
1Ot against bis country. As to any re-
vard-weli, just say that soldier Of the
irish Brigade doesn't sell lis trophies" A
etter written in accordance with the spirit
# Kelly's suggestions, and the sword, we're |
ept TO headquarters by Colonel Nugent,
md thus duly acknowledged:
BEADauARIERs ARMY OF rHK Potomac
amp near Harrlson's Landing, August 3. 1852.
SIR-YOur letter of the tbirty-tirst ultmo, |
a sword taken from Lieutenant
Colonel E. WaggamsD, Tenth louisiana
volunteers, at the battle Of Malvern Hill,
vas duly received. The correspondence
will be handed to Brigadier General L.
thomas, agent on the part of the United
'tates for the exchange of prisoners, who is
expected here this morning.
General Thomas will be requested to see
hat your letter to Colonel Waggaman and
he sword reach that officer. / am, sir,
cry respectfully, your obedient servant,
&. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
o Colonel Robert Nugent Sixty.ninth Regiment
New York VOluntet rs.
We heard soon after that Colonel Wag-
q man had been exchanged, and, Of course
vas put in possession Of his much priced
5eepon. He is now, or lately was, sheriff
t New Orleans, Louisiana, and from all
ccounts q loyal and useful citizen of the
epublic. Colonel Nugent is some here in
he Southwest with his regiment. the Thir-
zenith United States Infantry, in which he
as been captain for several years; Kelly,
Tho subsequently rose to the rank OF Gap
Ain in the Sixty ninth, fell MORALLY wound
OF the battlefield Of Spottsy lvania, May
3, 1864, and died in harness, like the
auntless soldier that he was, beloved and
egretted by his comrades.
a the Wrong Side Of the Ditch Again.
A New York dispatch says: