Klingenthal Model 1840 Cavalry Officers Saber Inscribed in Memory of Lt. William W. Disosway - 1st NY Mounted Rifle - Killed by a Deserter
American Civil War
34.5" curved single edged blade with a 28" unstopped median fuller. 1.125" wide at ricasso. Overall length 40.25". 5.5" hilt with two branch and knuckle bow cast brass guard, decorated with foliate themes and a shell motif on the interior of the top of the guard. Grooved wooden grip with shagreen covering and 13 wraps of twisted wire. Spine of blade with foliate etching and weak script Klingenthal maker's marks. Face of guard and obverse of blade with Klingenthal touch marks. Blade etched with 15.5" decorative panel featuring foliate motifs and martial themes including panoplies of arms. Interior of guard engraved in two lines: 1843 W.W. DISOWAY 1863/FIRST N.Y. MOUNTED RIFLES. The sword is accompanied by its browned steel scabbard with decorated brass mounts. A large binder of information regarding Disoway and his service is included, as well as information about the man who killed him while Disoway was serving as the Provost Marshal.
William W. Disoway enlisted on July 19, 1861 as a corporal in Company B of the 1st New York Cavalry. The regiment spent most of its 1861 service in patrols and reconnaissance in the vicinity of Washington DC and Northern Virginia, seeing some skirmishing but little action. In 1862 the regiment was attached to the cavalry component of the 1st Division of the 1st Corps of the Army of the Potomac and then to the Cavalry of the 6th Corps. They were primarily engaged during the Peninsula Campaign as escorts for supplies and wagon trains and saw their first substantial combat during the Seven Days before Richmond. They fought at Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Savage's Station and at White Oak Swamp. In early July they were reassigned to the 1st Cavalry Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. During his service with the 1st NY Cavalry corporal Disoway was promoted to sergeant. On August 13, 1862 Disoway was promoted to 2nd lieutenant and transferred to Company C of the 1st New York Mounted Rifles, which was serving with the 7th Army Corps, Department of Virginia. The regiment spent much of its time during 1862 into the early summer of 1863 in operations around Blackwater Bridge, Zuni, Franklin, South Quay and in the general region of southeastern Virginia, near the North Carolina line and about 50 miles inland from the Chesapeake and Hampton Roads areas of the Virginia coast. On November 19, 1862 Disoway was transferred from Company C to Company M and on December 20, 1862 he was promoted to 1st lieutenant.
During his service Disoway was so well thought of by his commanding officer that at the young age of 20 he was made Provost Marshal of Williamsburg, VA.

During an unfortunate incident on October 13, 1863, Disoway was shot through the mouth by a semi-drunk Private William Boyle of the regiment who had escaped from his confinement and sought to desert to avoid punishment. While Disoway tried to talk Boyle into surrendering, the man shot Disoway in the mouth and made his escape. Disoway soon died of the grievous wound.

The sword is accompanied by a large binder of information about Disoway, including research, copies of service records, some copies of period letters, and period reports of the incident, as well as information and records regarding his murderer Boyle.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

Good. Blade lightly oxidized and dulled to a pewter color with scattered surface oxidation and discoloration. Some of the etching is weak and faded. The edge shows some scattered nicks and mars. The hilt had a rich mustard patina. The grip shows some wear with the wire intact but somewhat loose. Throat washer missing, pommel slightly loose. Scabbard moderately oxidized with some surface roughness and freckled discoloration.
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