Nathan Beakes Rossell (1817 - 1862)

Born 30 Dec 1817 in Trenton, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States

Ancestors

Died 27 Jun 1862 at age 44 in Gaines Mill, Hanover, Virginia

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Biography

Nathan Beakes Rossell was the eldest son of General Zachariah Rossell, Militia General and Captain in the War of 1812. He joined the 5th U.S. Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Winnebago in 1838. He was commissioned 1ST Lieutenant in November 1840. He entered the War with Mexico and, while wounded in action, distinguished himself at the Battle of Monterey, Mexico in September 1846. As a result of his bravery he was brevetted Major of Volunteers in September 1847. He transferred to the 3rd U.S. Infantry entering the Civil War as a Major and was posthumously awarded the brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel following his death in action during the Battle of Gaines Mills.^[1]

Lieutenant Rossell was appointed Second Lieutenant Fifth U.S. Infantry, August 1, 1838. He was wounded in the shoulder at the storming of the bishop's palace at Monterey, September 21, 1846, and for gallant conduct at the battle of Molino del Ray was brevetted Major. He subsequently participated in all the engagements between Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico. This officer, still with the Fifth U.S. Infantry, was killed in action at Gaines Mills, Va., June 27, 1862.^[2]

When Governor Haines of New Jersey placed in the hands of Colonel Nathan Beakes Rossell (at that time Major, 5th Infantry, U. S. Army) a gold-mounted sword, the gift of the State, in recognition of gallant services on the battle-field, he said: “Major Rossell, you are worthy of your name;" thereby paying a tribute, not only to the man, but also to his name.^[3]

Battery Rossell^[4], located immediately in front of Fort Kearney in Washington D.C. was named in honor of Major Nathan B. Rossell of the 3rd U.S. Infantry, who was killed on June 27, 1862, at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill.^[5]

Further biographical information can be found on page 70 of Stemmata Rossellana.^[6]

Research Notes

Full text of the auction linked in Sources below. The link with more details and images appears to be broken as of May 2023.

HISTORIC MEXICAN WAR PERIOD STATE OF NEW JERSEY CASED PRESENTATION SWORD WITH BATTLE HONORS AND PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSIONS TO A HERO OF MONTEREY AND, LATER, A BRAVE UNION OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION LT. (LATER MAJOR) NATHAN BEAKES ROSSELL 5TH REG US INF. One of the finest Mexican War presentation swords to come to market is this cased State of New Jersey militia sword of high grade presented to a gallant officer who distinguished himself, wounded in action, at the Battle of Monterey as well as other battles inscribed upon this historic piece. Governmentally presented swords are quite rare and were reserved for the heroes of major conflicts. The sword is a high grade militia style presentation sword having a 32” double edged blade with a single fuller and etched patriotic decoration across 90% of both faces. The etched decorations include crossed cannon, American flags, and eagle, floral and other rococo scroll decorations. The cross guard is of gilded brass cast in high relief with two heart shaped quillons and double shield shaped langets having a cast sterling silver State of New Jersey seal on the front and the motto “HONOR EST PRAEMIUM VIRTUTIS” roughly translated “honor is the reward of valor.” The grip is silver in sexagonal shape with profuse and fine floral engraving. The pommel is a knight’s head helmet with crested plume and a silver double chain beginning at the mouth of the helmet and falling to top of one langet. The scabbard is of gilded brass with profuse engraving over nearly all of the front face depicting classical war trophies and intricate scrollwork. There are two carrying ring bands cast in relief the ring mounts are clasped fists. An open panel between the top and middle mount contains the following presentation: “Presented by the State of New Jersey to Lieut. Nathan Beakes Rossell/ of the 5th Reg’t U.S. Infantry for brave and gallant conduct in the Battle of Monterey/Subsequently distinguished in the battles of Vera Cruz, San Antonio, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultopec, Carita San Cosme, and City of Mexico, and promoted to the Rank of Brevet Major” the obverse side of the scabbard is plain. The case is of walnut with brass furniture measuring 40-1/2”l x 6/-1/4”w x 3” h with a brass Victorian style plaque on the top cover engraved “N.B. Rossell/U.S. Army/February 3, 1849.” The interior, covered in bright blue velvet, is of the fitted “French” style casing. Together with an officer’s waist-belt sash of worsted cotton with knotted tassel. Accompanying the cased sword are five Presidential U.S. Army Commissions of significant note as follows: 1. 1839 U.S. Army Commission, signed Martin Van Buren 2. 1841 U.S. Army Commission, signed Martin Van Buren 3. 1848 U.S. Army Commission, signed James Polk 4. 1848 U.S. Army Commission, signed James Polk 5. 1861 U.S. Army Commission, signed Abraham Lincoln. Nathan Beakes Rossell was the eldest son of General Zachariah Rossell, Militia General and Captain in the War of 1812. He joined the 5th U.S. Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Winnebago in 1838. He was commissioned 1ST Lieutenant in November 1840. He entered the War with Mexico and, while wounded in action, distinguished himself at the Battle of Monterey, Mexico in September 1846. As a result of his bravery he was brevetted Major of Volunteers in September 1847 and presented with this sword by his home State of New Jersey. He transferred to the 3rd U.S. Infantry entering the Civil War as a Major and was posthumously awarded the brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel following his death in action during the Battle of Gaines Mills. Battery Rossell, located immediately in front of Fort Kearney in Washington D.C. was named in honor of Major Nathan B. Rossell of the 3rd U.S. Infantry, who was killed on June 27, 1862, at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill. A wonderful opportunity to own a magnificent State of New Jersey presentation sword to a gallant officer who fought in two major American wars ultimately giving his life for this country.

Sources

1. ↑ HISTORIC UNIFORMS, SWORD, PAIR OF PHILADELPHIA DERINGERS, AND MILITARY ACCESSORIES OF LT. (LATER MAJOR) NATHAN BEAKES ROSSELL 5TH REG. U.S. INF.
2. ↑ A History of Trenton 1679-1929, The Trenton Historical Society. TRENTON'S REPRESENTATION IN THE REGULAR ARMY AND NAVY DURING THE MEXICAN WAR
3. ↑ Stemmata Rossellana; history, traditions, biography, genealogy and heraldry of the Rossell family, Page 1
4. ↑ http://www.fortwiki.com/Battery_Rossell
5. ↑ HISTORIC MEXICAN WAR PERIOD STATE OF NEW JERSEY CASED PRESENTATION SWORD WITH BATTLE HONORS AND PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSIONS TO A HERO OF MONTEREY AND, LATER, A BRAVE UNION OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION LT. (LATER MAJOR) NATHAN BEAKES ROSSELL 5TH REG US INF.
6. ↑ Stemmata Rossellana; history, traditions, biography, genealogy and heraldry of the Rossell family, Page 70

• "United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDP-SDVR : 20 February 2021), Nathan B Rossell, 1862.

See also:

• FamilySearch Person: 9V33-5PP
• Find A Grave: Memorial #9692585
• GEDmatch Ref: 9751364 : I1782