American Regulation Issue Cavalry Sabre- c.1812

Description

Sponsors

This item is a part of the 1812 History digitization project. This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy.

Media Type

Object

Description

This is an American regulation issue cavalry sabre that has a “US” inscription on one side of the curved blade and an “N. Ward” inscription on the other. The sword is made of forged steel and features a leather covered handle.

It was reported to have been taken from an American Officer and delivered to General Murray of the 100th regiment, during the capture of Fort Niagara on December 19, 1813.

Following the retreat of American forces from Niagara and the subsequent burning of the town, the British wasted no time reoccupying the ruins of Fort George and planning an assault on Fort Niagara. More than five hundred soldiers crossed the Niagara River to Five Mile Meadows on the night of December 19, 1813 and silently turned north toward Youngstown. American pickets stationed in the village were taken by surprise, and the attackers obtained the garrison password. A short march carried them to Fort Niagara where they burst through a partially open gate and caught the garrison unprepared. With Fort Niagara secured, the British and their Indian allies marched back upriver, destroying farms and villages on the New York side as far as Manchester (modern Niagara Falls).

A second British raid at the end of December burned Buffalo and completed the devastation of the Niagara Frontier. Only the buildings of Fort Niagara were left intact to shelter a British garrison. An officer indicated surrender by offering his sword to his conqueror. The sword, then, became the symbol of the victory and was surpassed only by an enemy's flag or "colours" and by his artillery pieces as trophies of war. It is believed that this is why the sword made its way to the Servos Family. The family had it in their possession until it was donated to the museum in 1896.
Further research in 2010 suggests that it is a US Cavalry sabre C 1800, and is a copy of the British 1796 pattern. There is a US stamp on the right, and it has an ivory covered handle.

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