Daniel Appling (August 29, 1787 – March 5, 1817) was an officer in the United States Army during the first two decades of the nineteenth century.

[2] Appling served as a recruiting officer for some time and was later stationed at Fort Hawkins, near Macon, Georgia under the command of Captain (later Brigadier General) Thomas A. Smith.

Navy Captain Melancthon Taylor Woolsey was assigned to transport cables and cannons needed to outfit a frigate, USS Superior, and other vessels from Oswego, New York to Sackets Harbor.

Captain Sir James Yeo decided to pursue the remaining Americans, who had withdrawn up Big Sandy Creek to fortify their position.

The Battle of Big Sandy Creek lasted less than ten minutes and resulted in an overwhelming American victory.

[1][3][4] Effective May 30, 1814, Appling was brevetted as a lieutenant colonel for gallant conduct in capturing a superior force of the enemy at the Battle of Big Sandy Creek.

[2][5] During the Battle of Plattsburgh, Appling led 110 riflemen against General Sir George Prevost's attack, conducting a number of delaying actions on the Beckmantown Road.

In 2010 the director of the Georgia Division of Archives and History saw an advertisement in an antiques magazine offering the sword for sale for $250,000.

The Pennsylvania antiques collector and dealer gave Georgians until December 31 to raise $100,000 to purchase the sword or he would sell it to waiting buyers.