Pillsbury and a happily worded 'New Year's Greetings,' from Gen. The Proclamation of Emancipation was read by Mr. Per "The New South" on January 9, 1864, in the article "First of January Celebration": "According to previous announcements the new year has been ushered in here by a grand demonstration under the auspices of the freedmen, in honor of the president's memorable proclamation a year ago today. At that event, he danced with his future wife, fellow abolitionist Mathilda Thompson, "the belle of Port Royal." The next year, when this sword was presented, he again hosted a celebration and gave a speech at Camp Shaw, named after Colonel Robert Gould Shaw of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry who died in July 1863 at Charleston (well-known today from the film "Glory"). Together celebrated both the New Year and the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. On New Year’s 1863, General Saxton had hosted a celebration and addressed a mixed audience of freedmen and whites. The date is significant as it is precisely one year after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation that officially freed the slaves within the Confederate States not yet under Union control and one of the most significant steps towards the abolition of slavery in the entirety of the United States. He was the son of radical Unitarian and transcendentalist Jonathan Ashley Saxton, an outspoken abolitionist and feminist, and General Saxton clearly followed in his father's footsteps and pushed for fair treatment of former slaves, including the deeding of confiscated/abandoned land and fair pay. The sword was presented to General Rufus Saxton (1824-1908), then military governor of the Department of the South. 1864." The reverse side is also engraved and has the Tiffany & Co. of the South, for his sacrifices and/labors to secure their liberty, protection, and elevation/Beaufort. Saxton/MILITARY GOVERNOR./as a testimonial of the gratitude of the Freedmen/of the Dept. The gilt scabbard has brass hardware with mostly floral etching and "To Brig. PATRIAE TIBI." (for God, your country, and yourself), ribbed silver grip, dual silver knuckle guard chains, and gilt eagle pommel. ![]() The hilt is a mix of gilt brass and silver and features a silver languet with oak leaf and acorn border and "DEO. The sword features a 32 inch straight blade with gilt backed etching consisting of scrollwork, a halberdier on the right side, Union flag bearer on the left side, stands of arms and other patriotic/martial motifs, and "TIFFANY/& Co./NEW.YORK" on the right ricasso. This sword pattern is pictured in the Tiffany catalogue.
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