General David Twiggs’ Gold Presentation Sword

Originally published July-August 2024 · pp. 25–31

General Twiggs’ Gold Presentation Sword Photography by Jack W. Melton Jr.

This is a solid gold general’s sword, involving three wars, two U.S. Presidents (Polk and Lincoln), a general who fought for both the United States and the Confederacy, two Congressional Resolutions, the White House, the Treasury Department, a lawsuit against the U.S. Government, a hostile capture, and as a trophy of the capture of the city of New Orleans. The sword of Major General David E. Twiggs USA and CSA. The most expensive gold-hilted swords ever made by the Ames Mfg. Co. in Chicopee, Mass., cost $1,500 each. President Polk, by a Resolution of Congress, presented six of these swords (the one presented to General Winfield Scott is on display in the White House). The sword is solid gold mounted with battle scenes from the Mexican War and the storming of Monterey, Mexico. Twiggs’ service started in the War of 1812 with the rank of Major. In the Mexican War, he rose from the rank of colonel immediately to general and was cited for his gallantry in the storming of Monterey. When the Confederacy seceded in 1861, Union General Twiggs was in charge of the state of Texas troops and weaponry. Because he was a southerner, he turned over the state without a fight. He was subsequently made a Major General in the CSA. Abraham Lincoln called him “The Benedict Arnold of the North” for this treasonous act. He was immediately dismissed from the U.S. Army. General Twiggs was put in charge of the Department of Louisiana. He was in New Orleans with his grandson, visiting his Creole girlfriend, when the city fell to General Benjamin “Beast” Butler. Butler immediately sent a detail to capture Twiggs. Twiggs escaped, but his silver and three swords (Congressional, State of Georgia, and City of Augusta) were captured. Butler sent the three swords to Lincoln as a trophy of the city of New Orleans. He recommended one be given to West Point to show the folly of secession.

Title page: Major General David Emanuel Twiggs. (February 14, 1790–July 15, 1862). (Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art)

General Twiggs’ sword from the Kevin Hoffman collection

Lincoln addressed Congress on December 12, 1862 and said:

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives:

I have in my possession three valuable swords, formerly the property of General David E. Twiggs, which I now place at the disposal of Congress. They are forwarded to me from New Orleans by MajorGeneral Benjamin F. Butler. If they or any of them shall be by Congress disposed of in reward or compliment of military service, I think General Butler is entitled to the first consideration. A copy of the General’s letter to me accompanying the swords is herewith transmitted. – Abraham Lincoln Congress directed the swords to be put in the Treasury Department. They remained there until 1880 when the Creole girlfriend married a lawyer. She filed a lawsuit for their return. Twiggs’ grandson also filed suit. Congress passed a resolution, and the swords were returned to his grandson. (The story of the lawsuit was published in the 1930s). This sword will be prominently pictured in the front section of Presentation Swords, in John Thillmann’s book A Study of United States Arms 1832–1865. Thillmann states, “When examples of highgrade swords are mentioned, this one would be among the best in existence.”

The presentation on the sword scabbard reads: Presented by the President of the United States agreeable to a Resolution of Congress to Brig Genl. David E. Twiggs in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his Gallantry & Good Conduct in Storming Monterey Resolution Approved March 2, 1847.

Twiggs’ Courts-Martial. House Documents. Page 9, 1884.

Document from the 37th Congress, 3rd Session, Ex. Doc. No. 11, titled “Swords of General Twiggs.” U.S. Government Printing Office.