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Thanks for the information everyone. I've now got a photograph of Capt. Grogan with his regiment on the eve of leaving for Africa along with references to the skirmish. I think I will contact the South Staffordshire Regiment museum when they re-open after covid to see if they have any more specific details of the action.
In the meantime I need to give the sword a bit of TLC.

Thanks for the information everyone. I've now got a photograph of Capt. Grogan with his regiment on the eve of leaving for Africa along with references to the skirmish. I think I will contact the South Staffordshire Regiment museum when they re-open after covid to see if they have any more specific details of the action.
In the meantime I need to give the sword a bit of TLC.

Your welcome, the Regimental museum would be a good place to try and find out more details when safe to do so. When you have all the details please let us know how you get on and perhaps share some images of the man and his sword. I assume it is a Wilkinson 1895/97 pattern? A poignant piece of history to own.

I've attached a photo of the man himself and will put up a picture of the sword when I've got it cleaned up a bit.

With regards to the sword it is indeed a a Wilkinson with an 1895 hilt but the serial number suggests it was made in 1890. I think it might be an 1845 blade re hilted with the 1895. I have sent off the details to have them checked on the Wilkinson proof register. It is only piquet weight, so was primarily for dress occasions and ordinarily I prefer to collect swords that were made for the field. I bought this one because it is the first opportunity I've had to acquire a sword that could be attributed to an individual.

I have got another 1895 pattern and it is considerably beefier than the piquet weight and would have made an excellent fighting weapon.

Some photographs of the sword.

FICKSBURG CEMETERY