isv2017 Missouri Sword
A GREAT MISSOURI
ASSOCIATED
PRESENTATION
SWORD
(SLIGHTLY USED)
iO = =
Overall View Of Obverse Of Brigade Surgeon S. H. Me!
Presentation Sword
(In Scabbard)
Presented
-to-
BRIG. SURG.
S.H. MELCHER
-by the-
Employees & Patients
-of the-
Marine Hospital
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm a8.isv2017 Missouri Sword
Inscription On Obverse of Middle
Scabbard Band
During part of 1862, Brigade Surgeon S. H. Melcher was in charge of 3
military hospitals in St. Louis. He was also secretary and member of the
State Medical Army Examining Board. He served as Chief Medical Officer,
District of S. W. Missouri and as Medical Director of The Army Of The
Frontier. He was a veteran of the 5th Regiment Missouri Volunteers - a three
month stint that stretched out to twice that amount of time with almost equal
parts being shared between his Union regiment, and being "in the hands of
the rebels for more than 3 months in charge of wounded who were left on
the field and in Springfield.”
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm anssiz017 Mssout Sword
A month later he was in Springfield, MO from where he went to “fight mit
Sigel” at the Battle of Carthage on July 5, 1861. On August 2, he took part in
the “affair” at Dug Springs and 8 days later participated “historically” in the
Battle of Wilson's Creek. By “historic” we are referring to the fact that he has
been given credit on an named individual basis as advising Col. Sigel that
the 3rd Louisiana coming up the Telegraph Road was actually the then
greyclad 1st lowa. When they were within 10 paces of the gun stilled Sigel
line, all hell broke loose resulting in the rout of Sigel's brigade. To Melcher's
favor, his statement was corroborated by several unnamed skirmishers.
Reverse Of Middle Scabbard Band
A week after his enlistment on May 7, 1861 in the 5th at the age of 32, he
was on an expedition to Potosi, De Soto and Victoria, Missouri capturing
secessionists, their horses and, as noted by soon to be General Nathaniel
Lyon, a secessionist flag.
His initial actions at Wilson's Creek were more those of a scout than a
doctor. He also tried to re-direct Sigel's artillery as it was, in his own words,
“creating a stampede but doing little, if any, damage to life or limb.” Quite a
comment, for a doctor.
Later that day, the Federals captured a Doctor Smith, a surgeon in
Confederate General Rains' division. At Melcher's instigation he was
released and the two doctors returned to the battlefield together. This proved
propitious as the Confederates turned over the slain General Lyon's body to
Melcher which he, along with a Confederate honor guard, took to Springfield
where he turned the body over to Maj. General J. M. Schofield. Dr. Melcher
then attended to the wounded at Springfield. After the Federal withdrawal
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htmsiz017 Mssout Sword
from Springfield, the Confederates took over the hospital and Dr. Melcher.
He remained there for over 3 months caring for the wounded before being
allowed to return to St. Louis. Strangely enough, | have not been able to find
any evidence that Dr. Melcher was ever officially declared to be a prisoner or
that he was paroled or exchanged.
Obverse of Top ‘Scabbard Band
Obviously, the presentation date on the sword indicates that he was
involved in some capacity with the Marine Hospital at St. Louis as of July 14,
1862. However, we have not found specific orders or information as to the
exact dates that he was in charge of the 3 hospitals. Pension paper notes
indicate that he was Chief Medical Officer- District of S. W. Missouri from
approximately June of 62 to January of 63. Another application states he
was Medical Director of the Army of The Frontier during the winter of 1862 -
1863. That notation also carried the remark that “He shouldered a rifle.” It
was made by Gen. E. B. Brown. These assignments might have been
concurrent with other duties as the the next official records we have on
Doctor Melcher indicates that he was Colonel of the Washington County
Militia with headquarters at Potosi, Missouri. These records are dated
September 9, 15 and 29. One is a report by Melcher of a skirmish on
Strother's Fork of Black River. Another is a letter involving dealing with a
civilian and the third, dated September 29, 1862 contains instructions
regarding disbanding of the Washington County Militia.
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm 45isv2017 Missouri Sword
Reverse Of Top Scabbard Band
In January of 1863, Brigade Surgeon Melcher is in charge of the Post
Hospital at Springfield, Mo. Another battle is brewing. General Marmaduke is
preparing to attack the town. On January 7, Doctor Melcher went through the
hospitals calling for volunteers to defend the town. He got about 300 men,
organized them into companies of 50 men each and placed them under the
command of nurses, stewards and disabled commissioned officers. They
were marched to the arsenal and furnished muskets and ammunition. These
people became part of the "quinine brigade" and provided heroic and
valuable service during the battle. Melcher also advised General E. B. Brown
as to the availability of three dismounted old iron guns, two 12-pounders and
one 6-pounder and got permission to prepare the guns to be placed in Fort
No. 4 where they were put under the charge of nine volunteer artillery men
who were sick and enfeebled. Two attempts to take Fort No. 4 were turned
back by the heavy and intense fire of the soldiers and convalescents. The
next morning it was discovered that Marmaduke had withdrawn. The Battle
of Springfield was over.
illu
TL
~~ os
Hilt Of Melchers Sword
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm 55isv2017 Missouri Sword
= x
Sword Guard Close Up
aoe
Sword Grip Close
Up
(It's Silver)
Dr. Melcher and the "Quinine Brigade" were lauded in the reports of the
battle. This was the battle where Surgeon Melcher "shouldered a rifle".
Mention of this was made by Gen. E. B. Brown in Melcher's pension papers.
It was a battle that effected Melcher for the rest of his life as on the night of
January 8, 1863 a "Rebel" shell exploded as it passed over his head causing
him to dismount due to a momentary dizziness. He stated that "It seemed
like a cord was tight about my brain with a terrible headache." He was first
treated 3 days later. The constricted feeling about his brain and headaches
continued the rest of his life and his sight starts to fail after discharge.
General E. B. Brown was also grievously wounded by a treacherous shot
from a "secesh" residence.
The sword we are looking at was, in all likelihood, carried by Melcher
before, during and after the Battle of Springfield. It is a used sword. The
scabbard is somewhat weather beaten. Some screws are missing and the
blade has been pitted heavily at and near the point. The rest of the blade is
spotted and stained. It was so bad that | cleaned it - carefully. It was just too
bad to leave as is. The scabbard must have gathered water to have caused
the long term damage to the blade. Melcher was a busy and active man. He
took it on himself to be involved in all aspects of military duty. In 43-1/2
months, he took no leave and did not miss a day's duty due to sickness. |
can forgive him for not attending to his sword more than he did. That's OK. |
will replace the missing screws and will also treat the scabbard to some
careful restoration. | will do it in his honor.
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm einsisv2017 Missouri Sword
Overall Obverse View Of Brigade Surgeon S. H. Melcher's Presentation
Sword Unsheathed
Reverse Ricasso Marked
"COLLINS & CO" In An Arch Over
Obverse Ricasso Stamped "1862" “HARTFORD” Over "CONN"
On May 25, 1863, Melcher resigns his medical commission. On the same
date, he is appointed as a Lieut. Colonel in the Sixth Cavalry Missouri State
Militia with the effective date being May 28 "by virtue of commission from his
excellency H. R, Gamble, Gov. of Mo." On July 10 he was named Assistant
Inspector-General to the staff of Maj. Gen. Schofield. On October 1, 1864,
he becomes Acting Aid-de-Camp to General Pleasonton during Prices Raid.
He is very active throughout the area Southwest and West of St. Louis. On
November 1, 1864 Major General Pleasonton praises Melcher, along with
others, as being "conspicuous for gallantry and fidelity."
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htmisv2017 Missouri Sword
Obverse Of Quillon Reverse Of Quillon
On November 2, 1864, Melcher assumes command of Jefferson City, Mo.
He is much involved in rounding up demoralized stragglers, deprecations in
the area, reporting rebel movements and arranging transportation for troops,
stragglers, convalescents and material to St. Louis. In response to one
message requesting "that all artillery belonging to Smith's command to be
sent to St. Louis", he replies "that except for a few thieves and plunderers,
all of Smith's command; horse, foot and artillery has been sent." The local
militia in his sub-district also " pass themselves as bushwhackers, and rob,
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htmisv2017 Missouri Sword
burn and kill, etc." He has now made several requests for leave or to be sent
back to St. Louis as to attend to "neglected personal business" (his father is
dying). He is not happy. His messages get more and more critical of the 16th
and 17th Corps and their officers. His headaches continue and seeks
treatment for them.
View of Hilt From
View View Bottom
On November 25, 1864, Melcher is relieved of duty at Jefferson City, Mo
and ordered to report to his regiment without delay. He requests a delay so
as to finish up pending court martials at Jefferson City. Col. Melcher cannot
break his own mold. He finally resigns and is discharged on December 22,
1864. This does not prevent Melcher from sending a dispatch to Col. J. H.
Baker, Provost-Marshal-General at Memphis Tenn., on January 17, 1865 as
to rebels "Dick Berryman" and a young man from Farmington Mo., "by name
of Clary" and telling him of rebel movements from information that he picked
up in Crittenden County, Arkansas. Old habits are hard to break.
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm ansisv2017 Missouri Sword
Obverse of Scabbard Drag Reverse of Scabbard Drag
In May of 1865, he is working as an agent for The Freedman's Bureau in
La Grange, Tenn. He is having difficulty with his vision. At ten feet he cannot
tell a white man from a black man. He is there until 1872 when he moves to
St. Louis. His first wife dies at St. Louis in 1880. They have one child who
was born in 1857, Around or before 1875 he moves to Chicago, remarries in
May of 1882 at Laport, Indiana and moves, in 1883, to Crow Lake, Dakota
Territory, where his second child is born in 1884 when Melcher is 56 years
old. The children are born 27 years apart. His sight is all but gone, he cannot
leave the house without a guide. In 1909 he moves back to Illinois and
resides in Chicago from 1910 until 1915 when he dies of senility at the age
of 86 years, 9 months and 1 day. Death certificate states that an extended
attack of hiccups was a contributory factor.
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm 015isv2017 Missouri Sword
"IRON PROOF”
On Top Of Blade Back (forte) Near Hilt
ues ee "THE UNION AND THE
a Pe Eagle & Shield - CONSTITUTION
Boat Scene - Obverse Obverse FOREVER" - Reverse
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm nsisv2017 Missouri Sword
Se = rt]
"LIBERTY OR DEATH - Reverse U.S. (Entwined) - Reverse
The following information sources were utilized for this posting:
+ Pages 407 & 408 - “THE UNION CAUSE IN ST. LOUIS IN 1861.” By
Robert J. Rombauer. Pub. 1909 (Fifth Regiment Infantry, Missouri Volunteers
- Asst. Surgeon F&S).
+ Pages 1307, 1324 & 1343 - “THE COMPENDIUM OF THE WAR OF THE
REBELLION” Vol. II by Dyer. Pub. 1908 (Regimental Histories - 5th
Regiment Infantry (3 Months), 6th Regiment State Missouri Cavalry,
Washington County Militia.
+ Page 247 - “REBELLION IN MISSOURI: 1861” by Hans Christian
Adamson. Pub. 1961
+ Pages 72, 87, 88 & 92 - “THE BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK” By Edwin
C. Bearss - Fourth Edition. Pub. 1992
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm sanssiz017 Mssout Sword
+ Pages 31, 42, 46, 47 & 48 (Melcher's account of battle) and pages 96
through 104 (“Disposition Of The Body Of General Lyon”, in which Dr.
Melcher played a prominent part) - “AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF
WILSON'S CREEK OR OAK HILLS” by Holcombe and Adams. Pub. 1883.
Republished 1961. Reprinted 1985.
+ Pages 22 through 29 “The Battle Of Springfield” from “AN ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN SPRINGFIELD, MO., 1861-1865" By
Robert Neuman, Springfield, Missouri. Published 1975 (by author).
+ 48 pages from the Official Records in which Samuel H. Melcher is
mentioned as a third party or are copies of correspondence either written by
him or sent to him.
+ 44 pages of his pension applications (A lot of his former associates attest
to Melcher's military service plus Melcher's own statements).
* 16 pages of Melcher's military records - Muster rolls, etc.
hitpllamscollectors.comimgsimissour_sword im
135isv2017 Missouri Sword
Inscription On Obverse of Middle Scabbard Band
(Enlargement)
This sword is my most recent acquisition. It delayed the posting of "The
Collector's Item of The Week" by a full week while | searched the Official
Records and the various books that | have that contained information on the
affairs, actions, skirmishes and battles in Missouri. Also all pension and
military records were sorted by date so a time line could be developed on
Brigade Surgeon / Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Henry Melcher. This
information was then used for this write-up. It was a small world here in
Missouri during the Civil War. | found that | had another identified sword that
later belonged to one of his wounded patients from Springfield in 1861. Also,
| have a lot of items that belonged to a 1st lowa cavalry man who was in
Jefferson City, Missouri when Melcher was in command in 1864. | will have
to go through that troopers letters to see if any mention of Melcher is in
them. | have a feeling that this is the nucleus that will bring a close
hitptarmscolloctors.com/mgsimissour_sword htm sansisv2017 Missouri Sword
relationship to numerous items now in my collection and initiate an ongoing
search for additional items. Can anybody spare a dime? I'm going to need it.
| guess the biggest coincidence of all, for me, is that the Marine Hospital
in St. Louis was moved out to Kirkwood, MO in the late 1930's or early 40's.
It was later "sold" or given to a Catholic hospital group. It is now St.
Joseph's, a mile or so from my house. | have spent some time there and
that's where my Doctor's office is. In a way, the sword is just about back to
where Dr. Melcher received it. Dr. Melcher also was quite active in this area
in October of 1864 as it was expected that Price's Army would pass through
Kirkwood to capture St. Louis, so a primary defense line was established in
Kirkwood at the Meramec River. Perhaps concerned about this defense line,
Price turned and headed west towards Jefferson City. The "Battle of
Kirkwood" went with him.
hitpllamscollectors.comimgsimissour_sword im 4545