A gold mounted sword presented to a soldier following his defence of Fort Stephenson during the war of 1812 is the expected top lot of Heritage Auctions' December 7 Civil War & Militaria Signature Auction in Dallas.
 The Battle of Fort Stephenson was one of most decisive defensive actions of the war of 1812 |
Inscribed, "Presented by the President of the US to Lieutenant Benjamin Johnson Pursuant to a Resolution of Congress on 13th of February 1835", the sword is expected to sell for more than $80,000+.
Its value is derived from the fact that it was presented to a heroic American officer for one of the more remarkable defensive actions of the war of 1812.
Fort Stephenson in Ohio was defended by just 160 men with one cannon, commanded by the 21-year-old Kentuckian Major George Groghan, who had been ordered to abandon it. Yet, as Groghan came to leave, the fort found itself surrounded by over 1,000 British regulars and Native American allies.
The British offered surrender terms to the US troops, threatening that "our immense body of Indians cannot be constrained from massacring the whole garrison in the event of our undoubted success".
However, the surrounded troops defiantly responded, "When the fort shall be taken there will no one left to massacre. It will not be given up while a man is able to resist."
The British began to attack, and Groghan ordered all men to hold fire until they were in close range before firing on them with the garrison and the fort's artillery. The plan worked and the British retreated with 120 dead and wounded, while the Americans had suffered just one loss.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a magnificent selection of militaria for sale.
