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Captain Carman’s sword is an exquisite example n the summer of 2021, the Museum of I of the 1796 Pattern for British light cavalry. the Royal Canadian Military Institute Favoured by infantry officers as well, this is the acquired a very fine collection of early sword that Carman carried on operations during the War of 1812. While the inset shows the small nineteenth-century artifacts. This recent boil of corrosion on the left side, the blade is in acquisition is an exceptional small generally very fine shape. The sword is 38” long collection and named to a Canadian officer overall, with a blade length of 33½” and a width of 1¾” at its widest point. It weighs 944 grams. All of the War of 1812: Captain Michael photos by Jeremy Hood, courtesy RCMI Carman III of the Dundas County Militia. This single collection was donated to On the sword’s hilt, the grip is fashioned from an the RCMI by Lynn Leitch on behalf original leather covering on ridged wood, and the of her father, Nelson Forward; Michael wielder’s hand is protected by a sturdy knuckleCarman III is Lynn’s four-times-great bow and quillon combination. The shape of the grandfather. As the Museum Director & hilt complements the graceful curve of the blade, while the slot on the bottom of the knuckle-bow is Curator of the RCMI, I was introduced for a decorative sword-knot. to Lynn by Queen’s University scholar Dr. Allan English. object would be a coup for a museum, The collection is noteworthy for several reasons. First, authentic War of 1812 but this collection is named to a specific artifacts of Canadian origin are seldom officer and the objects came directly encountered. Furthermore, each of the from his descendants with supporting artifacts is in good-to-excellent condition. documents – the best-case scenario for Given that all War of 1812 objects are now over 200 years old, condition and one of the finest swords conservation will continue to be a major in the history of the concern – especially for organic materials such as leather and wool. British Army The individuals of the Napoleonic era were unlikely to foresee that their military museum acquisitions. Rarity, condition, objects would be saved and preserved for and provenance: a resounding success for posterity. The fact that Carman’s objects Canadian history and heritage. have survived and remain in such fine condition is a testament to the effort and The material history of the collection care of his descendants and additional The Carman collection consists of a caretakers over many generations. The Pattern 1796 light cavalry sword with final layer of noteworthiness on this original scabbard; a Canadian Militia collection is its named provenance. Indeed, the acquisition of any War of 1812 Pattern 1780 officer’s pipeclayed white
Captain Carman’s sword is an exquisite example n the summer of 2021, the Museum of I of the 1796 Pattern for British light cavalry. the Royal Canadian Military Institute Favoured by infantry officers as well, this is the acquired a very fine collection of early sword that Carman carried on operations during the War of 1812. While the inset shows the small nineteenth-century artifacts. This recent boil of corrosion on the left side, the blade is in acquisition is an exceptional small generally very fine shape. The sword is 38” long collection and named to a Canadian officer overall, with a blade length of 33½” and a width of 1¾” at its widest point. It weighs 944 grams. All of the War of 1812: Captain Michael photos by Jeremy Hood, courtesy RCMI Carman III of the Dundas County Militia. This single collection was donated to On the sword’s hilt, the grip is fashioned from an the RCMI by Lynn Leitch on behalf original leather covering on ridged wood, and the of her father, Nelson Forward; Michael wielder’s hand is protected by a sturdy knuckleCarman III is Lynn’s four-times-great bow and quillon combination. The shape of the grandfather. As the Museum Director & hilt complements the graceful curve of the blade, while the slot on the bottom of the knuckle-bow is Curator of the RCMI, I was introduced for a decorative sword-knot. to Lynn by Queen’s University scholar Dr. Allan English. object would be a coup for a museum, The collection is noteworthy for several reasons. First, authentic War of 1812 but this collection is named to a specific artifacts of Canadian origin are seldom officer and the objects came directly encountered. Furthermore, each of the from his descendants with supporting artifacts is in good-to-excellent condition. documents – the best-case scenario for Given that all War of 1812 objects are now over 200 years old, condition and one of the finest swords conservation will continue to be a major in the history of the concern – especially for organic materials such as leather and wool. British Army The individuals of the Napoleonic era were unlikely to foresee that their military museum acquisitions. Rarity, condition, objects would be saved and preserved for and provenance: a resounding success for posterity. The fact that Carman’s objects Canadian history and heritage. have survived and remain in such fine condition is a testament to the effort and The material history of the collection care of his descendants and additional The Carman collection consists of a caretakers over many generations. The Pattern 1796 light cavalry sword with final layer of noteworthiness on this original scabbard; a Canadian Militia collection is its named provenance. Indeed, the acquisition of any War of 1812 Pattern 1780 officer’s pipeclayed white
leather waistbelt with sword slings; and two War of 1812 Canadian militia officer’s shoulder epaulettes made of wool and steel chain links. The Pattern 1796 sword has an interesting background and development history. The 1796’s predecessor, the Pattern 1788, had proven itself to be ineffectual on the battlefield. The Pattern 1788, the first regulation pattern of the British Army, had been created for the cavalry as a hybrid weapon – intended to both thrust and cut. Unfortunately, the 1788’s narrow design and very slight curve made it difficult to aim, penetrate, or withdraw. As a result of the 1788’s shortcomings, Major John Gaspard Le Marchant, a an officer of 16th the Light Dragoons, published his
The sword of Captain Michael Carman III A material history of the War of 1812 by Ryan Goldsworthy
The sword of Captain Michael Carman III A material history of the War of 1812 by Ryan Goldsworthy
The sword of Captain Michael Carman III A material history of the War of 1812 by Ryan Goldsworthy
experiential recommendations for the during the War of 1812. The blade of development of an improved cavalry sword. Carman’s example contains some minor In 1795, Le Marchant collaborated with spots of rusting and pitting, but it remains Henry Osborne, a British sword-cutler, in in very good condition overall. The hilt of order to create what would become the Carman’s sword exhibits an excellent grip, Pattern 1796 light cavalry sword. Unlike made of original ridged wood with leather the hybrid Pattern 1788, the updated covering, and a single iron knuckle-bow Pattern 1796 was designed primarily as a attached to its quillon (for protecting the slashing blade which allowed the user to wielder’s hand). The simple and functional produce an effective cutting and cleaving hilt was a purposeful design; it reduced attack. The updated 1796 could, however, the sword’s overall weight, allowing for also be used to deliver a fatal thrust, as the more accessible use. The sword’s langets, blade is much wider near the tip compared meant to secure the sword while sheathed to the 1788. in its scabbard, also remain intact and in The iconic Pattern 1796 sword was far good condition. The sword possesses an more successful than its predecessors and it indescribable character, having been here was even adopted by other nations outside in Upper Canada throughout the war. of the British Empire, including Prussia Carman’s matching iron scabbard is and the Netherlands. The 1796 was also an excellent example of the type. The the most abundant sword used by Britain scabbard is stamped with the maker’s and its allies at the Battle of Waterloo mark, “Woolley, Deakin, Dutton & on June 18, 1815. The Pattern 1796 light Johnson.” The WDDJ maker’s mark cavalry sword is generally viewed as one provides us with a more precise date and of the finest swords in the history of the provenance of the scabbard’s manufacture. British Army. By 1808, the firm of Woolley, Deakin, Though Carman was not a cavalry and Dutton were operating on Edmund officer, the 1796 light cavalry sword was Street in Birmingham, UK, as makers of often carried by Canadian militia officers “sword[s], frying-pan[s], edge-tool[s] and
plantation tool[s].” “Johnson” joined the firm of WDD between 1809 and 1811, and in about 1815, the same firm began to use the name “Woolley and Sargant.” This accurately dates Carman’s scabbard to the War of 1812 time period. The scabbard is also complete with two suspension rings for fastening the sword slings which attached to the waistbelt. Carman’s waistbelt and sword slings are in immaculate condition for their age. The belt’s leather was coloured with a natural fine white clay, a dye process known as pipeclaying. The white pipeclay is still consistently seen over the entire belt. The waistbelt and the sword slings are fastened together with nine brass lionhead clasps. These ornate clasps have sustained only minimal effects of oxidization and the lionhead designs are complete with detailed facial features, including the mane and whiskers. Finally, we have Captain Carman’s two shoulder epaulettes. Items of uniform dating to the War of 1812 are incredibly rare. At the outset of the war, there was little official military clothing available in Upper Canada. Militiamen often appeared age. The waistbelt’s buckle appears to be a twoThe scabbard is just short of 34½” long, 2” wide
18 The Fife and Drum April 2022
Battle of Matilda, the Battle of Ogdensburg and, most importantly, the Battle of Crysler’s Farm – though there is no substantive evidence to show that Carman was present. Only days before Crysler’s Farm, however, Carman was very possibly involved in the skirmish at Iroquois Point, which occurred on or near his family’s 200 acres. On November 7, 1813, during the American expedition up the St. Lawrence, General James Wilkinson diverted 1,200 of his 9,000 men in an advance guard action to drive off the Dundas militiamen who had been firing on them. Though the 1,200 Americans successfully refuted the 1st 200 or so men of the Dundas, the skirmish at Iroquois Point delayed the American advance. It also caused General Wilkinson and his war council, on November 8, to reconsider their expedition. This crucial delay of the American advance provided pursuing British Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Morrison with the time to better organize and consolidate his men wool and resources. On November by 11, 1813, Morrison’s forces met the a man Wilkinson’s in the field at Crysler’s Farm in Morrisburg, Ontario. The stunning and decisive British and Canadian victory here forced the Americans to abandon their St. Lawrence campaign. Following the end of war, Michael Carman in 1815 built Carman House, a still-standing limestone cottage (now a museum) on Carman Road in Iroquois, Ontario. The Carman House Museum is only about 25 km from the Crysler’s Farm battlefield. Carman resigned from the militia in a letter addressed to Lt.-Col. McDonell dated April 23, 1823, and died in Dundas County on February 12, 1834, aged 64. He would have been eligible for the Military General Service Medal, 1793-1814, but the medal was not authorized until 1847 and it was not awarded to 1812 veterans posthumously.
250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3K9 info@fortyork.ca www.fortyork.ca
Conclusion The Captain Michael Carman III collection is an exceptional acquisition for the museum and for Canadian history and heritage. While the War of 1812 is often understood through the top-down lens of The Fife and Drum 19
the high command, the lives and service Ryan Goldsworthy is a and material history expert of individual soldiers like Carman are who is the Museum Director increasingly featured in the narrative. The the Royal Canadian Military Carman artifacts are important primary would like to thank Lynn sources for better understanding and Forward, and Dundas appreciating this chapter of Canada’s Susan Peters for their military history. These physical objects, this project. The author now in the care of the RCMI, are indelible Ryan.Goldsworthy@rcmi.org. and powerful touchstones of a conflict long bereft of living testimonial. Material history The makers stamped the from the War of 1812 is relatively scarce, the scabbard: Woolley Deakin of Birmingham. It dates the and the Carman collection now provides manufacture to sometime us with a fine memorial to a Canadian 1809 and before 1815. company officer who helped uphold the fragile sovereignty of an early Canada.
military historian from Toronto & Curator of Institute. He Leitch, Nelson County Archivist generous help with may be reached at
hree standard works provided the general background to the T story of Michael Carman’s sword. William Gray’s Soldiers of the King: The Upper Canadian Militia 1812-1815 (Boston Mills 1995) contains useful introductions to the nature of the service as well as nominal rolls of the units in the war. The second work is J.Mackay Hitsman’s The Incredible War of 1812 (updated by Donald Graves for Robin Brass, 1999), still the best military history. The standard reference to period swords is Brian Robson’s Swords of the British Army: The Regulation Patterns, 1788-1914 (Arms & Armour 1975). The core sources used – beyond the artifacts themselves – are at Library & Archives Canada and in obscure publications. Departing from our usual practice, the F&D is listing them all, for the sake of the material history specialists and the sword connoisseurs.
Secondary & Published Archival Sources
Sources & Further Reading
Secondary & Published Archival Sources Coldham, Peter Wilson. American Loyalist Claims Volume 1: Abstracted from the Public Record Office Audit Office Series 13, Bundles 1–35, 37. (National Genealogical Society 1980) Carman, William B. Yeoman’s Service: being an account of the first Carmans from Kehl, Germany to come to America, their sojourn in Pennsylvania and New York and their activities as Loyalist pioneers in Canada, 1708-1840 (family history) Laguna Niguel, California, 1981 Kingston, Sarah. “Loyalty or Rebellion? The Shifting Allegiances of 1798” in The National Museums of Northern Ireland. Accessed March 19, 2022, from nmni.com/story Lankester, P.J. and Rimer, G. “A 19th-Century Chest of Arms” in Royal Armouries Yearbook Vol.3. (The Royal Armouries Museum Leeds 1998) pp. 77-108 Norman, A.V.B. “Additional material towards a history of the basket hilt” in the Journal of the Arms and Armour Society, Vol.XV (1998), pp. 403-417 Pringle, J.F. Lunenburgh or the Old Eastern District: its Settlement and early History (Standard Publishing House 1890) Yallop, Henry “Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sword,” in The Royal Armouries Collections. Accessed 18 March 2022 from: www.collections.royalarmouries. org/battle-of-waterloo/arms-and-armour/type/rac-narrative-289.html 20 The Fife and Drum April 2022
Primary Sources
Sources & Further Reading
Michael Carman to McDonell – Resignation from the Dundas Militia. LAC RG 9-I-B-1 Vol.11; item # 4549409 date 1823-04-23. Correspondence to Adjutant-General’s Office – Upper Canada Fonds Muster Roll and Paylist of a detachment of the Dundas Militia on command from Matilda [Dundas County] to Gananoque under the command of Michael Carman from 4 to 8 July 1812. Pp. 696 –97. LAC RG 9-I-B-7 Vol.5 file 5-G35 film T-10380 Muster Roll and Paylist for Duty performed at various Periods by Captain Michael Carman’s Company of the 1st Regiment of the Dundas Militia from 25 September to 24 December 1813. Pp. 707–709. LAC RG 9-I-B-7 Vol.5 file 5-G38 item #5380808 Paylist for Duty performed at various periods by Captain Michael Carman’s Company of the 1st Regiment of the Dundas Militia from 25 October 1812 to 24 January 1813. Pp. 704–706. LAC RG 9-I-B-7 Vol.5 file 5-G37 item #5380807 Sword and scabbard (1800-1830): Heavy Cavalry Trooper’s sword and scabbard: IX.259. The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds. Accessed March 19, 2022 collections.royalarmouries.org Uniform tunic and epaulette of Lieutenant Levi Soper: 1986.23.1. Fort York National Historic Site. Toronto History Museums.
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