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August 2020 - Antique Shoppe - 7
Gardner’s name may not add much to the value unless William Gardner’s story is
The Civil War Collector rescued from history, which I have not been able to find anything close in my search.
A Colonel William M. Gardner (and later a general in the Confederate army) is the
only officer listed in the Confederate army wounded at Manassas. If Baird had gifted
this to William Gardner, he most assuredly would have recognized this West Pointer
By John Sexton by rank on the knife, and it would be part of the historical record.
Regardless, William Henderson Baird has a remarkable Civil War history, but
not in the 38th NY. That history occurred in the hard-fought and unjustly labeled
I am writing seeking assistance on how to proceed to discover the value of “Harper’s Ferry Cowards,” the 126th NY where he was commissioned a major on
Q. a Civil War-era folding knife. I have included some photos of the knife, and August 1862.
the history I have been able to find. This knife has been in my family for a very long Baird was removed from service for the surrender (not on his account) of the
time, but I do not know how we came to have it. 126th at Harper’s Ferry in October 1862. The newly formed 126th was just two
As you can see in the weeks old at the time, and 907 men surrendered, becoming the largest surrendered
photographs, the knife is American military force until Bataan in WWII.
engraved by hand, and President Lincoln reappointed Baird after an outpouring of support from several
it apparently belonged generals and from his commanding colonel in the 126th.
to Capt. William H. The 126th would soon show their manhood after their capture and humiliation.
Baird of Company H of Eliakim Sherrell, colonel of the 126th, was killed defending Pickett’s charge at
the 38th Regiment of Gettysburg. Baird was promoted to Lt. Colonel of the 126th and took command of
the New York Infantry. the regiment when Col. James Bull retired from service due to poor health in the
On the other side of spring of 1864.
the knife is the name Baird led the 126th gallantly through the Richmond campaigns, leading to the
“William M. Gardner” June 16th Battle of Petersburg where he was regimental commander of the 126th
who apparently in Hancock’s 2nd Army Corps. Colonel Levin Crandall, commander of the 125th NY,
received the was leading the right wing including Baird’s 126th, when he, Crandall, was shot in
knife as a gift the face, and Baird was ordered to take command. Baird was now leading the 3rd
from Baird. Brigade 2nd Division of the 2nd Army Corps through heavy fire close to Confederate
I have entrenchments.
done some Baird was soon shot through his right side by a musket ball that tore through both
research and lungs. He was attended by his adjutant Spencer F. Lincoln who stayed with him in
had no trouble finding information on Baird. He was an officer at the First Battle of the field, taking final messages for his wife and two children at home. Baird died less
Bull Run. A fascinating account of that battle was written by him in a letter to his than one hour after that mortal shot.
brother in July of 1861. In it, he mentions saving the life of a Confederate soldier Adjutant Lincoln, attempting to take Baird’s body back to Union lines, was shot
who was badly injured in the leg. No name was mentioned in that letter. However, and killed, and both bodies lay in front of the strong Confederate defenses. Baird’s
information on a William Gardner was available and shows that he was at the same final messages were lost.
battle and badly injured with a leg wound. I think it’s very possible that may be the William H. Baird (August 19, 1831- June 16, 1864) was one of many casualties
William Gardner to whom the knife was given. Thank you for taking the time to have of the 126th. The total enrollment of the regiment during service was 1,036 of
a look at what I have enclosed. whom 17 officers and 259 men were killed. Having 17 officers killed, including
two commanding officers, was rare in battle, and it showed that the officers were
William Baird does have a fascinating history, but the name on other leading their men into action. The 126th rid themselves of the nickname “Harper’s
JS: side of the knife is not “William M. Gardner” but a much less common Ferry Cowards” forever.
name, “William Cardner.” The letter you cite from the First Battle of Manassas, or Baird’s tombstone reads: “COL. WM. H. BAIRD / 126TH NY Vols / KILLED / IN THE
Bull Run, shows Baird’s gallantry, and no wonder, he went through the ranks with BATTLE OF PETERSBURG VA / June 16 1864 / Age 32 yrs 19 mos 27 days”.
promotions and commendations. The Union Knife Company patented folding cutlery combinations, which were
Baird entered service 5/24/1861 at Geneva, N.Y., as a captain of the 38th copied after Sheffield-made combinations, originally were designed for picnicking
New York Infantry. He must have received this Union Knife Company knife/fork and for military officers. But this popular Civil War utensil was ingenious in that
combination sometime prior to his leaving the 38th in July of 1862. This particular the knife portion would slide off the fork portion so you could use both hands to
patent item was very popular with soldiers in the field, and excavated parts are very eat. This was such a popular item in the hands of soldiers that several wartime
common in Civil War campsites. More common are knife/spoon/fork combinations. photographs are posed with this unique utensil; one tintype of a private holding one
Captain Wm. H. Baird’s name is carved in the same hand as the inscription on the sold at Heritage Auctions in 2008 for $1,200.
other side, “To Wm. Cardner,” using the same abbreviation for “William” and the I have seen many of these knives sold over the years. A fine, complete example
same slab serifs. I can find no one with the name of Cardner as a soldier; maybe he by the same maker with no history is available for about $200-$300 in the Civil War
was a family friend back in New York? Or did he mismark the “G,” and the name is market. Identified examples such as this that are inscribed to a KIA officer should
William Gardner. Baird does not give a rank, so possibly it was not one of the 350+ bring several multiples of the intrinsic value. If I was cataloging it for auction, I would
soldiers in the North and South with that name, but there are no Gardners in the estimate your Union knife/fork combination at $600-$800 and not be surprised to
38th NY. see it bring more due to the gallant history of the presenter.

I recently bought this Civil War sword from another collector, and I’m trying to find out if it is real or fake. D. H.
Q. Cooper was indeed a general in the Confederate Army. I am trying to find someone who would be able to give
a COA, or tell me for sure that it is fake.
I realize there are thousands of fake Civil War items out there. I know the British supplied both sides with arms and
weapons, but I don’t know much beyond that. The person I bought this from said I could get my down payment money
back, but I want to be sure before I commit the rest of the money. I have attached a few pics. I would like to get some
feedback on it if possible.
Get your money back. The sword is of the era, but the sans serif “GEN D H COOPER”-etched panel on the
JS: blade is not in a style ever seen on a genuine sword. Note how out of sync the other etching appears which is
original to the sword.

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a description to
mclwriter@gmail.com.