Archive of Col. M.T. Donohoe Tiffany Presentation Sword, This Tiffany sword belonged to Union Brevet Brigadier General Michael T. Donohoe. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Donohoe (1838- 1895) was commissioned Captain to "C" Co. New Hampshire 3rd Infantry in August 1861, and was promoted to Colonel of the 10th New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment ("Irish Regiment") in August 1862. He was severely wounded at Ft. Harrison, Virginia on September 29, 1864 and was brevetted Brigadier General, Volunteers, March 13, 1865 "for gallant service in the field." Along with the sword, in its original wooden case, this archive contains Donohoe's silver and leather flask, six Civil War date letters and documents, a photograph of Donohoe in uniform, his certificate of membership in the Society of the Army of the Potomac, signed by
U.S. Grant, and a printed shield with Donohoe's service record.
1) Tiffany & Co. sword is 38¾ inches, with a slightly curved single-edged blade, which is 31 inches. Engraved "Collins and Co., Hartford Conn." just above the blade on one side and "Palmers & Bachelders Boston" on the other. Silver spiral grip and quillon terminating in an eagle. The scabbard is silver with gilt braiding. "Tiffany & Co." banner is just below the lip; below, inscribed on gold overlay is "To Col. M.T. Donohoe By Morritz"; on the other side is an eagle bearing a shield. Overlay has recurring floral designs. Both sides have "US" at the bottom; there is also a shield on one side and a fancier "US" design on the other. Some tarnishing to silver. The sword is housed in its original wooden box.
2) Group of six letters: a) a 6-page detailed report from Col. Donohoe, Hdqtrs 10th Regt., Fort Connecticut, near Suffolk VA, 2 May 1863, on the operations of the 10th New Hampshire "since the first day of April while the enemy has been threatening Suffolk"; lots of detail.; b) letter to Donohoe from Edward M. Cullen (letter is secretarial), Col. 96th NYV, quoting an extract from Cullen's official report on the assault of Fort Harrison, crediting much of their success to Donohoe's gallant action in advancing the skirmish line "from Aikins Landing to the fort"; c) letter to Donohoe from the NH Adjutant General's Office, 18 Oct. 1864 about Donohoe's request for a 30-day furlough after being shot in the thigh at Ft. Harrison: "I was very sorry to hear that you had been 'clipped' as you term it, but then you still live and you are well aware that they are honorable scars…." d) letter to Donohoe, who was recovering from his wound, from Albert Sanborn, Chafins Farm, 10 Nov. 1864, about losses suffered by the 10th ("We 'went in' to 'win or lose' and we lost"), reporting the the 96th and 92nd NY Vols lost their colors, and with details on casualties; e) copy of a letter from Bvt. Maj. Gen. George J. Stannard, 11 Mar. 1865, highly recommending Donohoe for promotion due to his actions at Fort Harrison, with a glowing endorsement by Maj. Gen. Edward Ord; and f) a document signed by Secretary of War E.M. Stanton, War Department, Washington, 5 June 1865, advising Donohoe that the President has appointed him "for gallant conduct in the field, a Brigadier General of Volunteers, by Brevet…." All but one (the first) of these letters and documents were laminated years ago to preserve them.
3) Leather and silver flask engraved "Fort Harrison. / Va / Sept. 29th1864" on one side and "A Token of Gratitude" on the other.
4) Decorative certificate of membership in The Society of the Army of the Potomac, signed by
U.S. Grant as president of the society and by Horatio C. King as secretary, 24½ x 19 in. In original 28¼ x 23 in. frame.
5) 7 x 9 in. (sight) framed photograph of Donohoe as an older man in uniform holding his Tiffany sword by his side; in 11 x 13 in. frame.
6) 15 x 22 in. vividly-colored print in the shape of a shield with Donohoe's service record with the 3rd and 10th New Hampshire Volunteers, in original 26½ x 33½ in. frame: "Capt. Co C. 3rd NH Vols Aug. 14, 1861; promoted Col. 10th NHV July 8, 1862, Fredericksburg; In command 3rd Brig. 3d Div. 9th A.C. during Siege of Suffolk and affair at Hill's Point; On detached service Eastern VA; In charge of recruiting rendezvous Concord, N.H.; Operations of the Army of the James from Deep Bottom to Capture of Virginia; In command of skirmish line at Ft. Harrison, Sept. 29, 1864, horse shot in the morning, wounded in the thigh in the afternoon; Bvt. Brig. Gen. USV for gallant conduct at Ft. Harrison; Entry into Richmond; Mustered out June 26, 1865." Passed down through the Donohoe family; the present owner obtained it from a descendant. A discovery piece, it has never been at auction.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 25,000
Civil War
