Officer’s named dirk measuring 9 inches total with an ivory handle that is engraved "Preserve The Union"  The blade is maker marked  West & Sons Sheffield. The throat of the scabbard is engraved "Capt. S. H. Gray 7th Ct. Inf. 1861". Overall very good condition. 

Sylvester H. Gray was a resident of Bridgeport CT - Enlisted on 4/24/1861 as a 1st Lieutenant. On 5/11/1861 he was commissioned into "K" Co. CT 3rd Infantry. He was mustered out on 8/12/1861 at Hartford CT. On 9/13/1861 he was commissioned into "I" Co. CT 7th Infantry He Resigned on 1/27/1864. Promotions: * Capt 8/26/1861 (As of Co. I - 7th CT Infantry). The Seventh Regiment Connecticut Volunteers was organized at New Haven in August 1861 under the first call for three years men. 

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The regiment, one thousand and eighteen strong, was mustered into the United States service at New Haven, September 17, 1861, and started next day for Washington, D. C., where it was brigaded with the Sixth Connecticut and Third and Seventh New Hampshire regiments, under command of Brigadier-General Horatio G. Wright.​

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At the bombardment of Port Royal and the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard on the 7th of November, the Seventh was the first regiment ashore and into the rebel fortifications, and its colors the first to float over the soil of South Carolina since her secession; an historic fact noted by Governor Buckingham in a congratulatory order which was read before every Connecticut regiment then in the field.

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After six weeks of very heavy work on the huge fortifications projected at Hilton Head, the Seventh occupied Tybee Island at the mouth of the Savannah River Ga. December 19, 1861, and devoted the entire winter to the erection of masked batteries for the reduction of Fort Pulaski, situated on Cockspur Island, adjoining.

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The first 13-inch mortars used during the war were mounted and manned by men of the Seventh, who were drilled by an officer of the regular artillery in the intervals between "night fatigue" details. During the bombardment of Fort Pulaski, on the 10th and 11th of April, 1862, the Seventh manned nine of the eleven batteries engaged, being under fire more than thirty hours, rendering most efficient service, and was once more accorded the honor of being the first to enter and occupy the captured fortress.

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On June 1st 1862 the regiment left Fort Pulaski and on June 6th occupied James Island S. C., the first step towards the investment of Charleston. Frequent skirmishes and an incessant shelling of our lines followed this and subsequent advances, and on June 16th culminated in the Battle of Secessionville or James Island.  

The Seventh CT was one of the leading regiments to attack and last to retreat, fighting stubbornly to the rear, losing eighty three officers and men (a large percentage killed), and receiving the warmest praise from brigade and division commanders.  Holding their position in the face of a victorious enemy in superior numbers until July 20th, they then evacuated James Island and returned to Hilton Head, after a bloody and dearly bought experience at the front. Offensive operations at various points in the Department of the South kept the Seventh constantly employed, though with slight losses, until October 22, 1862, when they were engaged in the Battle of Pocotaligo S.C. sustaining a loss of twenty-nine killed and wounded.

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​Frequent expeditions all along the coast from Charleston, S. C., to St. Augustine, Fla., divided the regiment for many months into small battalions, one of which, consisting of Companies A, B, I, and K, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel C. Rodman, led the charges on Morris Island, S. C., July 10th, and on Fort Wagner July 11, 1863.  

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The general commanding announced "The Seventh Connecticut has covered itself with glory." Strengthened by the arrival of Colonel Hawley with the remaining six companies from Florida, the Seventh took a prominent part in the siege of Forts Wagner, Gregg, and Sumter, building "Swamp-angel Battery," etc., besides furnishing heavy details of officers and men for artillerists, having sole charge of the 300-pound rifled Parrott, the heaviest gun on the island.

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During December, 1863, three hundred and thirty-three original members of the regiment re-enlisted for three years under the provisions of the "Veteran Act," and on January 13, 1864, went North for a furlough of thirty days in the State. The remainder of the regiment soon went on an expedition into Florida, and were engaged in the battle of Olustee, February 20, 1864. At this time Capt. Gray retired but the 7th Ct regiment continued to press on with engagements in Virginia and finally in the second assault on Ft. Fisher near Wilmington NC.

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The Seventh Regiment was mustered out of service at Goldsboro N. C. July 20, 1865 returning by rail to City Point, Va. thence by steamer to New Haven where it arrived July 29th and went into camp at Grapevine Point until final payment and discharge August 11, 1865 after serving three years, eleven months and twenty-five days. Capt. Gray settled in New Bern NC after the war and became a successful business man.

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