Historic grouping related to General Rufus Ingalls (1818-1893), a career military officer who served as Quartermaster General of the United States Army during the Civil War. Considered by many to have been a key architect of Union victory, Ingalls' meticulous planning and strategic foresight ensured the smooth supply and transportation of vital resources to federal troops despite incredible logistical challenges. His innovative approaches revolutionized military operations, facilitating the efficient movement of troops, ammunition, and provisions across vast distances and treacherous terrain. This is a significant collection of artifacts associated with an important figure, whose strategic brilliance as Quartermaster General was instrumental in securing Union victory.

The lot incudes:

1. Cased m1860 Staff Officer's Sword, Presented to Rufus Ingalls

High-grade m1860 staff officer's sword with two scabbards, both inscribed "Rugus Ingalls." The blade is marked by retailer "Baker and Mckenney, NY" and fully retains its etched patriotic motifs with gold wash. 37 1/2 inches overall, 31 inch blade. The sword and scabbards are housed in their original silk/velvet-lined oak case with an inlaid plaque inscribed "Brigadier General Rufus Ingalls, from the officers of his command, Quartermaster's Department, Army of the Potomac, March 1864." The interior of the case is stamped "Baker and Mckenney, New York."

2. c. 1860-1880. LOUIS AUDEMARS. 18k Solid Gold Pocket Watch & Keywind Presented to Rufus Ingalls

18k gold pocket watch produced by the firm Louis Audemars of Le Brassus, Switzerland, inscribed in the interior of its case "Rufus Ingalls from AB Steinberger." The back of the case's interior is stamped with standard hallmarks, the serial number 8458, and inscribed with a list of prizes awarded to Louis Audemars at exhibitions held in London, New York, and Paris. Louis-Benjamin Audemars (1782–1833) and his sons were renowned for crafting exceptional watch movements and intricate "complications," including repeater and chronograph mechanisms of superior quality. Their meticulously handcrafted creations are widely regarded as some of the finest examples ever produced, representing the pinnacle of precision and artistry in the world of horology. The pocket watch has proved difficult to date definitively due to a scarcity of records, but was likely produced c. 1860-1880. The outside of its case is ornamented with diamond inlay in the shape of Ingalls' initials, "RI." The attached keywind, presumably gold, is inscribed "From Esther." The pocket watch appears to be mechanically functional.

Colonel Albert Barnes Steinberger (1841-1894) was an American diplomat and agent who rose to prominence as the first Prime Minister of Samoa in 1875. Born in Pennsylvania and raised as the sixth of nine children, Steinberger ventured to Colorado at 18, dabbling briefly in politics and playwriting. In the early 1870s, amid American, British, and German commercial interests in Samoa, President Ulysses S. Grant sent Steinberger to negotiate with Samoan chiefs and German officials. There, he became popular and influencial with Somoan officials. Steinberger was appointed Prime Minister of the Samoa in 1875, implementing constitutional reforms to appease foreign investors. His tenure, marked by discontent among settlers and suspicions of German alignment, ended abruptly in 1876, as British and American consuls orchestrated his dismissal and deportation to Fiji. Steinberger's removal triggered political upheaval, setting the stage for decades of instability culminating in the tripartite treaty of 1899, dividing Samoa between German and American colonial spheres. Despite his role in shaping early Samoan governance, Steinberger's legacy remains contentious, viewed by some as a failed but pivotal figure whose clandestine dealings compromised Samoan interests.

The reason for such a lavish gift is unrecorded, but the two seem have been business partners in the 1860s and 1870s.

3. Set of 12 Historic Documents & Military Commissions (Signed by Lincoln & Others) Issued to Rufus Ingalls

Collectively, these documents trace Ingalls' military journey from his education at West Point through his service in the Civil War and beyond, highlighting the recognition of his talents by various presidents through his rise in rank.

The archive includes: Ingalls' 1843 West Point Diploma recommending him for appointment in the "infantry or Dragoons," 1845 commission signed by President John Tyler, 1846 commission signed by James L. Polk, 1847 commission signed by President James L. Polk, 1848 commission signed by President James L. Polk, 1865 commission signed by President Lincoln appointing Ingalls to Brigadier General (signed just weeks before Lincoln's assassination), 1865 commission signed by President Andrew Johnson, 1866 commission signed by President Andrew Johnson, 1867 commission signed (stamped) by President Andrew Johnson, 1867 commission signed (stamped) by President Andrew Johnson, Ingalls' Military order of the Loyal Legion (MOLLUS) certificate issued in 1867, and 1882 commission signed by President Chester Arthur.

Rufus Ingalls was born in 1818 and began his military career at West Point, where he graduated in 1843. Ingalls early years as an officer were spent stationed on the western frontier, where he played a crucial role in maintaining order and security amidst the vast expanses of the American wilderness. One of the more noteworthy periods of his service during this time was spent as the "Steptoe Expedition's" quartermaster. The Steptoe Expedition was led by Brevet Lt. Col. Edward Jenner Steptoe and had three principal aims: to deliver supplies to Pacific Coast, to investigate the October 1853 massacre of Capt. John W. Gunnison’s topographical engineering party that occurred along the Sevier River, and to determine a better route from the Salt Lake Valley to California. Ingalls' tenure in the west provided him with invaluable experience in logistical management and strategic planning, skills that would later prove instrumental in shaping his legacy as a military leader of exceptional caliber.

As Quartermaster General of the United States Army during the Civil War, Ingalls orchestrated the seamless supply and transportation of crucial resources to Union troops. His meticulous planning ensured that Union forces remained well-equipped and provisioned throughout the conflict. Ingalls' competency has earned him a reputation as the Union's "secret weapon" and a pivotal figure in securing victory for the North. Ingalls died in 1893 and was buried with full military honor at Arlington National Cemetery.

[Civil War Era, Union, Confederate, Abraham Lincoln, Sword, Saber, Sabre, Presentation Sword, Relics, Jewelry, Ephemera, Manuscripts, Letters, Documents]