Lot 1165

Gen. Rufus Ingalls's Cased Baker & McKenney Presentation Sword

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Gen. Rufus Ingalls's Cased Baker & McKenney Presentation Sword

Estimate: $6,500 - $11,000

Starting Bid: $4,750

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic Civil War Cased Baker & McKenney Presentation Model 1860 Staff Officer's Sword with Two Scabbards Inscribed to General Rufus Ingalls, Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac Rufus Ingalls (1818-1893) was among the most significant officers int he American Civil War as the Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac. Ingalls graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Class of 1843 where he was a roommate and close friend of Ulysses S. Grant. After graduating, Ingalls was assigned to the U.S. Rifles and then the 1st U.S. Dragoons in the West, including in Colonel Stephen Kearney's Army of the West during the Mexican-American War. He became a quartermaster in 1848 and was stationed at various western posts, including at Fort Vancouver with Grant in 1852 and the inhospitable Fort Yuma in 1853. During the Civil War, Ingalls was a critical figure handling the supply of Union troops, especially after being promoted to Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac in August 1862. During the Petersburg campaign, Grant placed Ingalls in charge of supplying all of the Union armies around Petersburg and Richmond based out of City Point, Virginia. When Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Ingalls was there with Grant. He remained in the regular U.S. Army as a colonel after the war and continued his work as a quartermaster, rising to Quartermaster General and brigadier general in 1882 during the administration of President Chester A. Arthur before retiring in 1883 and settling initially in Oregon and then later New York City where he died at the Grand Hotel from heart disease on January 15, 1893. His obituary in the New-York Tribune noted: "General Ingalls's long experience as a regimental and assistant quartermaster made him an invaluable Chief Quartermaster for the Army of the Potomac. His promptitude in meeting the many trying exigencies that he was called upon to face was remarkable, and few men whose duty it was to clothe, feed and transport thousands of men at all seasons and under varying and exacting conditions ever began and completed there [sic] work with such dispatch and thoroughness as did General Ingalls. He was an ideal quartermaster, and a good quartermaster, whether of a regiment or an army, is a most important factor in time of war. General Ingalls's abilities were highly appreciated by General Grant, and the friendship of the two officers was close and lasting." The exact details of the presentation of this sword in March of 1864 are not known, but late that month General Grant, General Ingalls, and some staff officers were at the War Department in Washington, D.C. The case lid escutcheon is inscribed "BRIGADIER GENERAL/Rufus Ingalls/From the Officers/of His Command/Quartermasters Department/Army of the Potomac/March 1864", and each of the scabbards is inscribed "Rufus Ingalls". The 29 1/4 inch blade has martial and foliate etching with gilt backgrounds and "U.S." and "BAKER &/McKENNEY./N.Y." on the left. The gilt hilt has a folding languet on the left, eagles as well as foliate and martial motifs and a silver grip. Both scabbards have gilt brass fittings with pierced scroll designs. One has a nickel body and the other a browned body. Baker & McKenney of New York supplied military accoutrements during the Civil War.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Condition: Fine with strong original gilt finish, distinct designs throughout, aged patina on the grip, and mostly bright blade with minor spotting. The nickel scabbard is fine with much of the original gilt and nickel finishes remaining, gray patina on the balance, light oxidation, and minor storage wear. The browned scabbard is very good with some of the original finish, mild oxidation, and moderate storage wear. The case is very good and has a crisp inscription and aged patina on the escutcheon, some loose pieces, and mild storage wear. Overall, a very attractive and historically significant sword presented to one of the key figures in the Union victory in the Civil War: Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac General Rufus Ingalls.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000