John Julius Guthrie Obituary-- Part 1

From the Newspapers.com site.

Clipped from the December 1, 1877, Raleigh News.

CAPT. J.J. GUTHRIE

The Norfolk  Landmark says  of Capt. J.J. Guthrie who was lost on the wreck of the Huron:

He was a native of North Carolina, having been born at Raleigh; and had a sword of honor voted him by that State in recognition of an act of conspicuous  gallantry performed in the China Seas.  He had served with  credit and distinction in the navies of the Union and of the Confederacy, and recently had entered  on the discharge of his duties in connection with the Life Saving Service with generous enthusiasm.

The Landmark is mistaken as to the nativity of Capt. Guthrie.  John Julius Guthrie  was the son of Dr. John  Guthrie, of Washington, N.C.,  where he was born about the year 1814,  and was therefore in his 63rd year at the time of his death.

His father died when he was quite a boy,  and he came to this city  with his widowed mother, who is buried here in the old cemetery.  He was placed under the care of  Rev. Dr.  William McPheeters, and went to school to this distinguished preacher and educator  at the Raleigh Academy.

--Old B-Runner

Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny-- Part 2: Was It Carrying a Sword for Robert E. Lee?

The Fanny and Jenny's cargo list  had bacon,  coal and liquor aboard it, but legends abound that it also carried a gold sword with inlaid jewels, that was supposed to be presented to General Robert E. Lee, a present from British admirers.

William Keeler, the paymaster of the USS Florida (who was also  on the USS Monitor at the famous battle with the CSS Virginia and the Monitor's sinking) related that he had heard from a sailor that the Fanny and Jenny's captain had been seen carrying a sword off the vessel, but as he was being rowed ashore, the boat was swamped by a wave and the sword lost.

The wrecks of two other blockade runners, the Emily of London and the Dee, are located off Wrightsville Beach between Crystal Pier and the jetty at Masonboro Inlet.  These two have been sanded over and are not  visible on the seabed.

More about the Fanny and Jenny can be found  in  Ray MacAllister's book, "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island."

--Old B-R'er

Fort Fisher Sword a Humphrey Family Heirloom-- Part 2

Chris Fonvielle, associate professor of history at UNC-Wilmington calls it a rare B-Douglas sword made by B. Douglas & Co. and manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Humphrey family also has a map dating to 1864 showing the forts defending Wilmington.  On it Market Street is shown as Plank Road.  The Humphrey farm is also shown on it.

Many Humphreys are buried in Prospect Cemetery, located next to the old family farm.  It was once part of Prospect Methodist Church which closed in the 1930s and moved to Scott's Hill.

A Lot of History Here.  --Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Sword a Humphrey Family Heirloom-- Part 1

From the January 7, 2018, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Civil War sword a Humphrey family heirloom" by Justin Pope.

According to Bill Humphrey, a Union soldier got a Confederate sword during the fighting at Fort Fisher.  After its fall, Union soldiers came into New Hanover County.  His ancestors had a farm near present-day Market Street and Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington.

A fight ensued and the Union soldier dropped the sword and a Humphrey retained it.

The only identification on it are the letters "CS."

--Old B-Runner

Sword Belonging to Commander of Black Civil War Unit Found

From the July 23,2017, Washington Post by Mark Pratt, AP.

Robert  Gould Shaw, who like all officers in black units, was white.  After he was killed at Fort Wagner he was stripped of his clothing and belongings by Confederate soldiers.  His sword was recovered about two years later from a Confederate officer and returned to his parents.

(So, here, the sword was either recovered by a Confederate officer and returned to Shaw's parents or found in the possession of a Confederate officer, confiscated and returned to his parents.)

The sword's serial number matches the records of its maker, English swordsmith Henry Wilkinson.

It is tarnished and has some rust on the blade.  There is also some wear on the handle even though Shaw had acquired it only a month before his death and used in battle just twice.

The blemishes on the sword are likely the result of a Confederate officer using this highly valuable sword for the rest of the war.

It is a very superior sword.

--Old B-Runner

Col. Shaw's Sword Found-- Part 3: Sword Given to His Sister

Two years later a Confederate officer recovered the sword and returned it to Shaw's parents in Boston.

Col. Shaw had no children and the sword ended up with his sister Susanna Minturn and there the sword's history ended.

She was believed to have given it it to a teenage grandson.

That was probably correct as it was found in the attic of one of Minturn's great-grandchildren late last year.

--Old B-Runner

Col. Shaw's Sword Found-- Part 2: Commanded the First All-Black Union Regiment

From the July 17, 2017, Massachusetts Live "Sword of Robert Gould Shaw, Colonel of first all-black unit in the Civil War, found in home north of Boston."

After being lost for more than 150 years, his sword was given to the Massachusetts Historical Society on Tuesday.

Society President Dennis Fiorri called Shaw's sword "The Holy Grail of Civil War swords.  A Confederate soldier stripped the sword from the lifeless Shaw, along with the rest of his belongings following the battle.

--Old B-Runner

Col. Shaw's Sword Found: Commanded the 54th Massachusetts

From the July 13, 2017, CBS News, Boston "Civil War Col. Robert Gould Shaw's long-lost sword found in attic."

He was commanding officer of the Union's first all-black regiment and his sword is now in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society.  It was given to them by the descendants of Robert Shaw.

There is a statue honoring Col. Shaw outside the Massachusetts State House.

Shaw led the 54th Massachusetts in the famous 1863 attack on Fort Wagner, guarding Charleston, South Carolina.  He was killed in the attack along with many of his men.  The 54th was made even more famous by the acclaimed film "Glory."  His sword was then stolen by a Confederate soldier.

The sword was recently discovered in a Boston North Shore family attic by Mary Minturn Wood and her brother, descendants of Shaw's sister, Susanna.

When they saw the initials "R.G.S.," they knew they had a historical artifact.  Instead of offering it at auction, they gifted it to the historical society where it will be on display Tuesday.

More Power to Them for Gifting It.  --Old B-Runner

Rare Confederate Naval Sword Donated to Goodwill-- Part 1

From the September 14, 2016, Roanoke Times "rare Confederate naval sword, donated to Goodwill, on the auction block" by Matt Chittum.

This sword could bring thousands of dollars for the organization.  Farmer Auctions in Salem expect it to go for between $8,000 to $12,000 at auction on Thursday.

As of Wednesday there was an online bid of $7,000.

The sword was found in a donation of goods and there are only twenty of these naval swords known to be in existence today.  Appraisers are convinced of its authenticity.

--Old B-Runner

The American Civil War Museum in Richmond Has Hollins' U.S.N. Sword

They have his sword, catalog number 0985 06 00050.

It is a Model 1852 U.S. Naval Officer's Sword, slightly curved, single-edge blade, with two fullers and edge with stand of arms, shield and anchor, floral sprays, twisted rope, fouled anchor, eagle standing on a cannon, and USN, oval stars and Ames Mfg. Co./ Chicopee / Mass.

A picture of it accompanies the information.

--Old B-Runner

Andrew Bierne's Confederate Naval Cutlass-- Part 1

From Cowan's Auctions "Confederate Naval Cutlass Attributed to Midshipman Andrew P. Bierne, CSN."

I've never heard of the man, which made the story all the more interesting. 

The auction house was expecting to get $2,350 for it.  Not sure if they did, though.

English-made 24" long.

Bierne was born in 1846 and was sixteen when he joined the Confederate Navy in June 1861 after a brief service with the U.S. Navy (perhaps at Annapolis?)

There is some confusion as to his service, but from 1861-1862, he was at the Richmond Station.  He may have also served briefly at the Savannah Station in early 1863 as one of fifty officers on the CSS Georgia cruiser.  (Probably the ironclad CSS Georgia that was essentially a floating armored battery tied up at Fort Jackson.  I do not believe the cruiser CSS Georgia ever went to Savannah which was securely blockaded by 1863.)

More to Come.  --Old B-Runner