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This sword was presented by the Ladies\' Auxiliary to Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp No. 14, Legion of Spanish War Veterans, at the Camp\'s January 1902 installation of officers.
The inside of the guard is beautifully engraved:
Presented by
Ladies Auxiliary
to
Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp
No. 14
L.S.W.V.
Jan. 8th 1902
The blade itself is specifically etched:
“Qtr. Master”
The sword is accompanied by extensive historical research that strongly identifies the Quartermaster for whom it was intended as John J. Hickey, a Spanish-American War veteran of the 9th Massachusetts Infantry.
John J. Hickey identified as Camp Quartermaster
The December 14, 1901 issue of the Charlestown Enterprise reported the officers chosen for Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp for 1902.
The officers listed included:
Thomas L. Hayes — Commander
Edward J. Merrick — Senior Vice Commander
John J. Dwyer — Junior Vice Commander
Charles F. Bogan — Adjutant
William F. Murray Jr. — Paymaster
John Hickey — Quartermaster
The same issue announced that Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp would hold its installation of officers in early January 1902.
Newspaper documents the presentation of the swords
The January 11, 1902 Charlestown Enterprise subsequently reported:
“The Ladies\' Auxiliary of Colonel Fred B. Bogan Camp presented a set of handsome swords and belts to the camp at the installation on Wednesday evening.”
The presentation inscription on this sword is dated January 8, 1902, which was a Wednesday and corresponds with the newspaper report of the installation.
Because this particular sword is specifically etched “Qtr. Master,” and contemporary newspaper records identify John Hickey as the Quartermaster elected for 1902, the surviving evidence strongly indicates that this was the Quartermaster presentation sword intended for John J. Hickey.
Hickey\'s Spanish-American War service
The attribution is strengthened considerably by John J. Hickey\'s documented military history.
Massachusetts Adjutant General records identify:
John J. Hickey
Company B, 9th Massachusetts Infantry
His Spanish-American War service is recorded as:
9th Massachusetts Infantry, Company B, U.S. Volunteers
Mustered in May 10, 1898
Mustered out November 26, 1898
Sergeant / Quartermaster Sergeant
A separate U.S. Spanish-American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records also identifies:
Hickey, John J.
Company B, 9th Massachusetts Infantry
Spanish War
Sergeant / Quartermaster Sergeant
Therefore, Hickey not only became Quartermaster of Bogan Camp No. 14 after the war — he had also served in an actual quartermaster capacity with the 9th Massachusetts during the Spanish-American War.
Massachusetts records further show that Hickey continued his service with the 9th Regiment following the war and eventually attained the rank of Captain in 1904.
Connection to Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp No. 14
Col. Fred B. Bogan was associated with the 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the same regiment in which John J. Hickey served.
Following the Spanish-American War, the veterans organization known as the Legion of Spanish War Veterans established Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp No. 14 in the Charlestown area.
The surviving evidence therefore creates a particularly strong chain of association:
John J. Hickey
→ Company B, 9th Massachusetts Infantry
→ Spanish-American War veteran
→ Quartermaster Sergeant during the war
→ Elected Quartermaster of Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp for 1902
→ Ladies\' Auxiliary presents swords at January 1902 installation
→ This sword dated January 8, 1902 and etched “Qtr. Master”
While no claim is made that a surviving document specifically states “this exact sword was handed to John J. Hickey,” the combination of the contemporary newspaper reports, military records, presentation date and Quartermaster designation provides strong historical attribution to Hickey.
Sword details
The blade retains extensive period etched decoration, including:
- American eagle and shield
- Military trophy motifs
- Floral and foliate scrollwork
- Patriotic decoration
- “Qtr. Master” designation
Near the ricasso the blade is marked:
OAK HALL
CLOTHING CO.
BOSTON
MASS.
Oak Hall was a Boston clothing and uniform outfitter. The Oak Hall marking is being described as a retailer/outfitter marking; no claim is being made that Oak Hall manufactured the blade itself.
The sword has an ornate brass/gilt hilt with decorated guard, knuckle bow, dark grip covering with twisted wire, and a steel scabbard with decorative brass/gilt mounts and suspension rings.
Old identification tags
Also included are the old handwritten identification tags that have accompanied the sword.
One identifies it as a veterans sword associated with:
Col. Fred B. Bogan Camp
Charlestown, Mass. #14
The reverse records:
Presented by Ladies Aux.
Jan. 8th 1902
“QTR MASTER”
These tags are included as part of the sword\'s collector history. The primary attribution, however, is supported independently by the engraving on the sword and contemporary historical records.
Condition
The sword is approximately 124 years old and shows appropriate age and use.
- Extensive original blade etching remains visible
- “Qtr. Master” designation remains clear
- Presentation engraving is very legible
- Blade has scattered oxidation, staining and pitting
- Brass/gilt fittings retain aged patina and finish wear
- Grip covering and twisted wire remain substantially intact
- Steel scabbard shows oxidation, surface rust and finish loss
- Decorative scabbard mounts and suspension rings remain present
- Some mounting hardware is incomplete or missing as shown
- Old identification tags show age and handling
- Sword has not been polished or restored
Please enlarge and examine all photographs carefully. The photographs show the actual sword offered and form an important part of the description.
Included are the sword, scabbard and old identification tags shown in the photographs.
An unusually well-researched and documented piece for a collector of Spanish-American War memorabilia, 9th Massachusetts Infantry material, Massachusetts militaria, presentation swords, veterans organizations, or Charlestown/Boston history.
