Sword from officer killed at Inkerman
 

Good Evening Gents,

This is the lastest addition to my collection wich is connected to a previously posted mameluke owned by the father of this gentleman. Here is a bit of his history:


LTC James Charles Murray Cowell

The son of Lt-Col Stepney Cowell, K.H., and grandson of the late General Cowell, both of the Coldstream Guards. It is related of him that when only five years old, his nursery games were imaginary battles and sieges. His mother was Euphemia Jemima, and he was christened in London on 14 Oct 1824. In 1837, he was Page of Honour to King William IV. He was also Page of Honour to Queen Victoria on the occasions of her coronation and marriage.

One of eight members of the Coldstream Guards to be killed at the Battle of Inkerman.

There is a fabulous write-up for our hero in the 1855 "Our Heroes of the Crimea: Biographical Sketches of Our Military Officers" by George Ryan.
"In the hottest of the fire Colonels Mackinnon and Cowell advanced in front of the Coldstreams, and both fell mortally wounded; in fact, it is wonderful how any one could possibly escape in so murderous a fire, and how a single man of the Guards ever returned to tell the tale. . . "On the morning of the 5th of November, he was commanding a picket of the 1st battalion in the trenches, where, by the strict rule of military regulations, he should have remained, when hearing how fearful were the odds against the Guards in that terrible melee, he made the best dispositions he could to secure the post, and hastened to lend succour to his comrades in a moment of exigency. With the men under his command he acted bravely. The Russians had taken a redoubt, which the Guards determined at any cost to regain. Assault upon assault was made, and the object of contention was in and out of our hands several times, when a fierce, and last, and successful effort was made to dislodge the enemy. It was in this glorious onset that Lieutenant-Colonel Cowell covered himself with honourable distinction. He led this final charge, and heroically fell, mortally wounded, in the moment of victory. He was borne to the camp, where, elated with the success just achieved, he not only made light of his wound, but spoke confidently of being fit for duty in time for the assault on Sebastopol. His hopes of recovery, however, were not to be realized. The wound was mortal, and he died a few hours after the ball had been extracted. Only thirty years of age, this accomplished gentleman and gallant soldier's last thoughts were with the corps whose chivalry he had so nobly sustained. His last words were worthy of one whose life was marked by an utter abnegation of self, which, conjoined with amiability of disposition, in every relation of life, had gained him the love and respect of all his acquaintances, in military as well as in civil circles. Having, like a good Christian soldier, prepared himself for death, his last address to his brother officers, who had shared the dangers of their dying friend at Inkermann, was a touching appeal to their testimony in behalf of his reputation. 'I hope I have done my duty -- at least, I die a soldier's death!'"

Excellent. Did you get the painting too?

This is a magnificent entry! and amazing to see a sword with this kind of provenance. I have studied the Crimean war for many years, and of course, these other actions are foreshadowed by the immortal 'Charge of the Light Brigade', but the bravery and gallantry of all the men in all these actions are remarkable.

The British gallantry in the history shared here with this officers last words echo those of the mortally wounded Lord Nelson at Trafalgar (1805),
" Thank God Ive done my duty".
Moving and wonderful.

Thank you so much for sharing this!

It is a wonderful thing to keep such a grouping together, well done! I liked the action portrait so much I am having a copy made for the wall. It's a portrait you just don't see anything similar to. I do have the piquet weight Wilkinson sword of Capt. E.A. Whitmore who was on staff in the Crimea. Fenton took a photo of him mounted on his horse.

I did :) I also won a set of uniforms that belonged to his father and he is wearing it in this painting along with a Mameluke saber I also own and made a post of a few years ago.

Once I receive it, I can send you some close ups with more details if that would help.

Closeup photos would be welcome. These swords with provenance don't come along often, and once they do they tend to stay in a collection for decades. I'm guilty of holding onto some good swords with provenance, for what now looking back is a long time.
Cowells sword, portrait and uniforms are all something you cannot improve on. In my opinion swords with solid provenance and exceptional history of their officer cannot be topped. I'd rather have Cowells sword with a dented up scabbard than a minty bue and gilt 1796p or similar.