The sword and effects of Samuel P. Tate (1840-1924), a Confederate soldier who saw hard service with the 22nd North Carolina Infantry. Tate was wounded twice during his service, once severely during the Battle of 2nd Manassas. The 22nd North Carolina Infantry was continuously engaged in the Eastern Theatre of the War and is best remembered today for its actions at the Battle of Gettysburg, where over half its men were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. When the 22nd NC Infantry was initially organized it comprised over 1,000 enlisted men and officers. By the regiment’s surrender at Appomattox, only ~100 remained. Captain Samuel P. Tate was one of those fortunate men.

The succeeding three lots (#’s 461, 462, and 463) in this catalog also relate to Samuel P. Tate.

This grouping includes:

1. Samuel P. Tate’s foot officer’s sword, complete with leather scabbard, manufactured by the Virginia firm, Boyle and Gamble. Though unmarked, this example bears all the hallmarks of a Boyle and Gamble product. The sword features an unstopped fuller and legible foliate blade etching. Inscribed into the reverse of the leather scabbard is “S. Tate.”

Excitingly, period documentation likely records Tate’s use and ownership of this very sword. In Tate’s military service file, he is shown as being issued “1 sword” by the Richmond Arsenal in February of 1864 at a cost of $35.00. Confederate foot officer’s swords with period provenance are exceedingly scarce.

2. (2) “Oath of Allegiance” partly printed documents. One is signed by Samuel P. Tate and the other by his brother, Robert A. Tate. Robert also served in the 22nd North Carolina and was severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville. “Oath of Allegiance” documents are highly-prized by collectors, in part because of the line compelling former Confederate soldiers to “faithfully support all [Union] laws and proclamations….with reference to the emancipation of slaves.”

3. Samuel P. Tate’s original Confederate veteran’s “Cross of Honor” with leather holder.

4. Captured Union soldier’s diary/ledger inscribed in ink by Samuel P. Tate: “This book was taken from a Yankee camp May 31st, 1862, Segt. S.P. Tate, Co. B 22nd Regt. NC Troops, Richmond, VA.” Another page in the book bears an additional description detailing more context about where the book was found. Tate notes that other “trophies” were taken with this book, including a “Yankee” haversack and letters.

5. The 1877 last will and testament of Hugh Alexander Tate (1805-1877), father of Samuel P. Tate.

6. Sixth plate ambrotype attributed as Samuel P. Tate and his brother-in-arms (and actual brother), Robert A. Tate. Both men served in the 22nd North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War.



[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Swords, Arms, Armaments, Militaria, Guns, Uniforms, Accoutrements]