William Bensinger's Sword

Military Ohio

Daggers & Swords

Andrews' Raiders

This sword belonged to William Bensinger, a native of McComb, Ohio, who was one of Andrews' Raiders, a group of men who ventured deep inside Confederate territory during the Civil War. The raiders were caught, and William Bensinger was an exchange prisoner. Bensinger used this sword as a soldier in the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.), in which he served from 1861 until he volunteered for the mission as one of Andrews' Raiders. It measures 43" (109.22 cm) long and 1.5" wide (3.82 cm). In 1862, a group of Ohioans volunteered to be part of a secret mission deep into Confederate territory to disrupt transportation and communication lines. The group, later known as Andrews' Raiders, purchased tickets and boarded a train just north of Marietta, Georgia on the morning of April 12, 1862. When the train stopped at the town of Big Shanty for breakfast, the soldiers separated the engine, called The General, the coal tender, and three boxcars from the rest of the train. With the Confederate crew in pursuit, Andrews' Raiders headed toward Chattanooga, tearing up track and cutting telegraph lines. The Confederates picked up a new engine, The Texas, at the next railroad station and continued to pursue the Raiders. Although they released two of the boxcars and tried to set fire to a bridge, it soon became clear that the Raiders would never make it to Chattanooga. They abandoned The General about half way to Chattanooga. Andrews' Raiders fled on foot, but all 21 were captured within a week. Eight of them were hanged and the rest were sent to Confederate prison camps.

unknown

McComb Public Library, Andrews' Raiders Collection

circa 1861

Kristina Kuehling

Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information

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McComb (Ohio)

Hancock County (Ohio)

Frank Sawyer Sword

Military Ohio

Daggers & swords

Civil War

8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.)

This sword was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Frank Sawyer after the battle of Antietam Creek, the single bloodiest day of the Civil War. It is inscribed, "From the officers of the 8th O.V.I. for gallant conduct at the battles of Winchester and Antietam, October 4, 1862." The sword is 42" x 4.5" (106.68 x 11.43 cm). Sawyer, a prominent Norwalk, Ohio lawyer, organized the Norwalk Light Guards that became Company D of the 8th O.V.I. On September 17, 1862, the Army of the Potomac was heavily engaged at the battle of Antietam Creek in Maryland. The 8th O.V.I., under Sawyer's command, charged across the field near the Rouletter farm and broke the enemy line. Sawyer then swung his men into line and began pouring deadly fire down the sunken road, inflicting heavy Confederate casualties. Nonetheless, the 8th regiment lost 162 men, more than half its number. Impressed with the 8th Ohio's bravery, Major General Edward Sumner named the brigade "the Gibraltar" and presented Sawyer with this sword.

unknown

Firelands Historical Society, Lt. Col. Frank Sawyer Collection.

1862

Kristina Kuehling

Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information

Still Image

Norwalk (Ohio)