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COL. THADDEUS P. MOTT SWORD CANE FROM "NATIONAL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
COL. THADDEUS P. MOTT SWORD CANE FROM  NATIONAL
UNION LEAGUE". Finely carved and enameled wood, 34" overall, 21" well cutlered blade etched "COL. T. P. MOTT". Mott had long Civil War service entering war as captain in 3rd NY Light Artillery, then commissioned in US Army as captain, 19th Infantry, and later colonel of 14th NY Cavalry. Thaddeus Phelps Mott (1831-1894) from NYC was a lifelong adventurer. His father Dr Valentine Mott was professor of surgery at New York University, where he was also educated. At the age of 17, Mott was commissioned Lieutenant in the revolutionary army in Italy under Garibaldi. Later serving as a shipmate on several ships including the Hornet and the Hurricane bound for California. In 1856-1857 he was commissioned in the Mexican army. He would not return until shortly before the Civil War. He saw service in the fields of Virginia and the Gulf, and was involved in quelling the NYC draft riots. This cane has silver plaque engraved in shape of patriotic shield with American flag & "NATIONAL UNION LEAGUE". Union League was established in several cities during the Civil War to support the policies of Abraham Lincoln and American patriotism and the Union cause. Union leagues are still present today especially in New York City. They are quasi secretive and politically conservative, supporting conservative causes. 15 U.S. Presidents have been members of the club. Two presidents; Theodore Roosevelt and Chester A. Arthur, were members of the club prior to entering the White House and former presidents resident in New York, notably Ulysses S. Grant and Herbert Hoover, were active members. Theodore Roosevelt was blackballed when he first applied for membership in 1881, possibly because his mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, was a well-known Confederate sympathizer. Following the sudden deaths of his wife and mother in 1884, however, he was offered membership and accepted. After running on the Bull Moose Party ticket in 1912, Roosevelt was persona-non-grata at the club for several years, being welcomed back after the United States entered World War I. Long a men's club, it decided to admit women in the 1980s. Faith Whittlesey, President Reagan's Ambassador to Switzerland was the first female member (1986). Women now play prominent roles in the club's leadership. Among the Honorary Members were Sandra Day O'Connor, Henry Kissinger, Neil Armstrong, Margaret Thatcher, Antonin Scalia, Brent Scowcroft, Barbara Bush, and H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Mott's high grade staff sword from his NYC command sold at James D Julia Auctions in March 2018. CONDITION: very good overall, etch is worn. (02-21312/JS). $600-800.