This is an imported Non Regulation Officer's sword identified to Charles Paine Horton, assigned to the Second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry regiment. He was born in Boston on 1 October, 1837 to Henry and Helen Horton. Horton was a class of 1857 Harvard graduate, and moved south to enter into business. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War he returned to Massachusetts. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and assigned to K company, 2nd Regiment, Massachusetts Foot Volunteers on 28 May, 1861. On 1 November, 1861, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and assigned to D company, 2nd Regiment, Massachusetts Foot Volunteers. He was assigned to Colonel Gordon's staff as the acting Assistant Adjutant General in the fall of 1861. In the spring of 1862, while still in the position of the acting Assistant Adjutant General Horton had his horse shot out from under him during bank's retreat. He was mentioned by name by now General Gordon for his "efficiency and gallant service in action." When General Greene was appointed as the new brigade commander Horton retained his staff position. Greene was transferred to another command and Horton accompanied him. On 17 July, 1862 Charles Horton was promoted to Captain and became the Assistant Adjutant General. Captain Horton participated in the Battles of Cedar Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg. In August of 1863 Horton was appointed as an aide to General Heintzelman. Captain Charles P. Horton was mustered out of the service in October of 1865. Captain Horton carried an imported Non Regulation Officer's sword made by Clauberg of Solingen, Germany. The sword has an overall length of 36 1/4" with a straight 30 1/2" blade. The blade has a wide 20 1/2" fuller, a narrow 13 1/2" fuller, is 1 1/16" wide at the ricasso and has a 5/16" spine. The reverse ricasso is stamped with a knight in the center and W CLAUBERG in an oval over the knight and SOLINGEN under it. The blade is etched midway with a foliate design and the letters US in the center. The obverse ricasso is blank, and midway of the blade is another foliate design with an eagle in the center clutching a scroll in it's talons that reads, "E PLURUBUS ENUM". The spine is also etched "IRON PROOF". The ricasso stamp is very clear, and all etchings are very frosty. The blade itself has shine that you could shave in! The reverse side of the blade does have a little staining the last 8", but will clean up nicely. Looks to be some old varnish or something similar. The original leather washer is missing. The blade has a slight deflection at the hilt, nothing major mentioned for accuracy. The iron hilt is in remarkable condition. The grip is wrapped in sharkskin and is without flaw. The two strand wire wrap is as tight to the grip as the day it was wrapped. The back strap has a slight discoloration, most likely from handling. The open worked guard has an eagle over the letters US, with scroll work above it engraved with "E PLURIBUS ENUM". The iron scabbard is in matching condition, having only two small dimples, one near the drag on the outside and one on the top just above the lower mount. The mounts and suspension rings show minimal wear, as does the drag. The lower suspension ring has a numbered tag of 41 on it. An old brown tag in period ink accompanies the sword that reads Charles P Horton/Brevet Lieut. Col. Apparently this one was in a museum at one time. Along with the sword and tag, copies of Horton's muster rolls and a brief description of him pulled from the history of the 2nd Massachusetts will go to the new owner. If you are a collector of Union Infantry, especially Massachusetts Infantry, then this is a must have for your collection!