The brass hilt has darkened with age. A filigree of twisted wire wraps the sharkskin grip. The steel blade curves gently to a point, etched with vine leaves and grape clusters and the letters "USC," for U.S. Cavalry. At the bottom of its scabbard is a brass fitting. On each side is engraved a name: E.D. Morrill.
My great-grandfather.
It was the sword he carried through the Civil War, and it was finally coming back to his family. Until five years ago, I didn't know it existed.
This is the personal story of a genealogist encountering history. Unfortunately, it does not seem to move beyond family and objects.
