Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-15
A VALUABLE RELIC,
Sword, Who Fell at the Battle of
Antietam.

Geo. c. Whatley, secretary and treas
urer of the Iron State Building and Loan
association, of this city, came in posses
sion yesterday of a highly priced war
relic, and one money could not buy.
Mr.. Whatley is the son of Col Geo. c.
Whatley, of the Tenth Alabama regiment,
who fell while commanding his regiment
al the battle of Antietam in 1862.
About ten years ago Mr. Whatley's at
tention was called to an article in the
Atlanta Constitution written by one Mr..
Mckee, of New York, in which he stated
that he was in possession of sword on
which was inscribed:
Geo. c. Whatley, Tenth Alabama Reg
iment," which was picked up on the bat
tlefeld of Antietam after the fight. Mr..
Whatley addressed letter to Mr.. Mckee,
but for some reason failed to recover the
sword.
The next information Mr.. Whatley re-
ceived of the sword was a letter from
Capt. Paul Singuinetti, ordnance officer
of the Alabama troops, written about the
10th of last October, stating that he had
received a letter from Col. w. A. Tread
well, of New York, who was in possession
of the sword and wished to ascertain the
address of the nearest relative that he
might return it.
Mr.. Whatley wrote at once to Col.
Treadwell, giving a brief history of his
fathers military career.
Col. Whatley went out as captain of
Company G, Tenth Alabama regiment.
He was soon promoted to colonel of the
regiment in honor of which his company
presented him with the sword. He made
a gallant officer, and. as above stated,
was mortally wounded at Antietam while
leading his command
Prior to the war Col. Whatley was ac-
tive in politics. He resided in Jackson
vile, Calhoun county, and represented
his people in both branches of the legisla-
ture.
He was lawyer of recognized ability,
and graduate of the state university of
Georgia, being class mate of Hon. John
T. Miner, of Newcastle, this county
Yesterday Mr. Whatley received the
sword, express prepaid, accompanied by
the following letter:
My Dear Mr. Whatley:
Yours of the 9Th came to hand on Sat
urday and l hasten to reply. It is said
there are three occasions in a mans life
when he is Supremely happy. LIST, his
wedding day; I'd, his first baby, particu-
larly If a boy, and Sd, the funeral of his
mother-in-law. Now, all three combined
never gave me half the pleasure / expert
ence at your letter and the opportunity
afforded nae of doing an act which will
make SO many happy The sword will be
sent tomorrow in good condition, and
you will receive it just as it was taken
,
would have it polished up, but concluded
1t would be more acceptable to you
just as it was taken from your lamented
father. 1t will reach you the last of the
week. No charges.
Now, for the history The sword was
taken by Captain Mcneil. of the Sixty
sixth Regiment New York, and sent to
New York. He kept it as a relic up to
his death few years since, then 1t fell
into the hands of his brother--a non
office of the supreme court of New
York. In the course of a converse ton
with an old friend, General Martin T.
Mcmahon, now judge of that court
he spoke of the existence of this sword
and that it would make a good item for
the paper. Also that I could have it if
1 wished. I took it and saw by the in
scription upon the blade to whom it for
merly belonged, and decided at once to
return it should the owner or any heir
be found and at once wrote to the adju-
tant-general of Alabama, who sent me
your address. You know the rest.
Another thing of interest to you. have
added in the shape of two bullets, one
Union, the other Confederate, both of
which dug up In person from the field,
and from the exact locality where the
Tenth Alabama and Sixty-sixth New
York fought on that day, and perhaps
they were fired by the two regiments.
AS the bullets flew very thick that day,
and in every direction, 1t Is hard to say
precisely. You may rely upon their be-
ing genuine. The one flattened out was
found where the Alabama boys Were,
and no doubt one of the northern COM
pliments, while the other, partially fiat
tened was a return compliment the 9TH
er way. I insert them in the handle OF
the sword.
Now, only word as to myself am
of the Oldest Puritan stock in the United
States, and a blood-relative of the Hon.
John Treadwell, of Columbia, S. c., whom
every southern knows; was a cadet at
Normal Military University, and finished
in 1858, was rendered a commission in
the United States army, but declined,
owing particularly to the fact that l got
dead in love with a young lady, and after
forty years am still in love with her.
When the war broke out 1 entered the
army as captain, and fought my way
up to the honor roll Will write more
soon on this subject, but let me say 1
have met your men on the field, and have
nothing but respect and good words for
them Soldiers never bear malice. We
are all one now VIII tell you about my
lesses in my next. Let me hear from you
at once. Remember me to your family.
Respectfully etc,
as VIM. A, TREADWELL.