He carried on his membership in the 7th Regiment for many years after the war. The rioting demanded involvement not only the 7th, but many other of the city regiments and police called in to squelch what made the Baltimore riots look like a picnic. This was no small account, resembling more like a massive battle on the streets of New York City looting of stores, taverns, and gun shops including well stocked armories burning of the homes of the wealthy deemed by the mob to be above the draft hanging of blacks from street light posts, and so on. In 1863 the 7th was called out to deal with the city draft riots following the Conscription Act of 1863. Ely was promoted to captain and commanded Company “G” in 1862. The regiment initially served 30 days in the defense of Washington, and would serve two 3 month enlistments during the Civil War. The 7th responded quickly to President Lincoln’s call for 75,000 volunteer troops to protect the capital after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston, SC on April 12, 1861. George William Ely was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts on January 6, 1840, and later moved to New York City, at the age of 17, enlisted in the 7th Regiment in 1857. Where we depart from its common nature, is the history the sword has been immersed in, being the property of an extremely well regarded officer in the storied 7th Regiment from New York City, and on a larger scale, an important figure of his day a Secretary of the New York Stock Exchange, with the best Wall Street history you could hope for from someone who held a major roll in its development. Brass hilted, with folding counter-guard, a diamond shaped etched blade that measures 32 inches, and the field scabbard (blued metal with brass fittings). The sword is essentially an “off the shelf” model, with all the features of countless others of this type. This particular sword bears the blade marking for Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, (retailers of military goods), and a presentation to its recipient engraved on the underside of the folding counter-guard, “Captain Geo. Army lasting over 40 years until replaced in 1902. The Model 1860 Staff & Field Officers Sword had a long life in the U.S.
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