30" slightly curved single-edged quill back blade with nearly full-length median fuller. Blade 1.125" wide at ricasso. 35.5" in overall length. 5.75" hilt with gilt cast brass guard with foliate decoration and grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen. Spine with script Klingenthal markings. Blade with 16.5" etched panel featuring foliate designs and martial themes, including panoplies of arms. Nearly all wire is missing from the grip. Pommel cap is engraved R.W. HEMPHILL/203D Pa Vol. The sword is accompanied by a plain metal scabbard that appears to be of German silver. A binder of research about Hemphill, including copies of his service records and other information is included with the sword.

Richard W. Hemphill enlisted as the 1st sergeant of Company K, 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on June 28, 1861. The regiment did its initial duty during the summer of 1861 at Fortress Monroe in North Carolina, before being moved to the defenses of Washington. Their first major action was at Ball's Bluff on October 21 where the regiment was heavily engaged and they suffered nearly 300 casualties between the killed, wounded, captured and missing. The regiment retreated in disarray and spent the balance of the year on picket duty along the upper portion of the Potomac River. The regiment moved to Harpers Ferry in February of 1862 and saw combat during the Peninsula Campaign, including the Siege of Yorktown and Seven Pines, followed by the Seven Days. The regiment helped to cover Pope's retreat after his loss at Second Manassas and then participated in the Maryland Campaign, fighting at Antietam, and finishing the year off fighting at Fredericksburg.

1863 started off with the inglorious Mud March, with the regiment taking part in the Chancellorsville campaign, but was not heavily engaged at that battle. However in the wake of that campaign Hemphill was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on June 5, 1863 and transferred to Company H. The regiment fought at Gettysburg, arriving with 331 effectives and losing 98 killed, wounded and missing. The regiment finished off 1863 by participating in the Bristoe and the Mine Run Campaigns. They spent their winter on picket duty along the Rapidan and on January 25th, 1864 Hemphill was promoted to 1st lieutenant. Spring saw the regiment partake in Grant's Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor. The regiment was mustered out on July 2, 1864 with only 153 of the 2,200 men who had served in the regiment returning to Philadelphia. Upon returning to Philadelphia Hemphill enlisted as a sergeant in Company E of the 203rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on September 12, 1864. He was promoted to 1st sergeant on November 11 and three days later to 2nd lieutenant. The regiment saw their initial service at the Siege of Petersburg and in December was sent to North Carolina to participate in the attempt to capture Fort Fisher. During the final assault and capture of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, Hemphill was severely wounded. The following day he was promoted to 1st lieutenant. Hemphill died of his wound on February 13, 1865.