Coery,

Based on the information provided in you post, it seems plausible that the sword with the brass eagle head hilt and brass scabbard is a medical staff sword that may have belonged to the Dr. A. P. McDaniel that you mentioned. If so, these swords were usually only worn by army surgeons and physicians on dress occasions.

If you go the web address below, you'll find a photo of several medical staff swords.

http://www.civilwarpreservations.com/newmus61.html

Another possibility is that the more unusual of the two swords you describe is a militia officer's sword. These were usually not of an official pattern and tended to be more decorative and less functional than other swords.

Hope this helps.

Mike Bailey