The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-13
COSTLY SWORDS.
Facts In Regard to the Blades
Presented by congress to
Gen. Twiggs.

From the Chicago Inier-Oeezn-
At the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing in Washington the visitor
is shown. as one of the objects OF IN
terest, a wooden case containing
three swords sheathed in scabbards
of costly workmanship. A sia.
gle glance is sufficient to convince
him that they are in all respects q
superior article, but he opens his
ewes to their full extent when the
guide assures him in an oracular
tone that those swords cost 25,UOo.
This seems to be rather steep fig-
ure. and he mentally declares that
if he had that amount OF loose
change be would hardly invest it IN
such ornamental symbols of war.
But in the absence Of any evidence
to the contrary ne feels in duty
bound TO accept the truth OF what
he is told by the perfunctory parrot
who is showing him around. The
fact that they represent such a
large sum of money invests the
swords with a peculiar interest, but
the visitor involuntarily stops for a
more careful examination when he
eees that the scabbards and handles
of the blades are solid gold, and pro-
fusely ornamented with diamonds,
pearls, and sapphires that shine and
twinkle like stars in a summer
nights sky, his doubts as to the
guides credibility begin to vanish
after allowing a proper allowance
for the tendency of such statements
TO grow, as they are repeated thous-
ands of times, year after year. A
day or two ago / heard the guide
read off his story about these swords
in the usual vague and unsatisfac-
tory way. / succeeded in getting
him started on il a second time, and
by putting on the brakes now and
then, to make him 60 slower, and
asking q few questions, learned
the main facts connected with these
interesting relics of the past, and
additional data was subsequently
obtained at the War Department.
The most elaborate of the three
bears the following inscription !:
Presented by the President of
the United States, agreeable to a
resolution of Congress, to Brigadier-
General David f. Twiggs, in testi-
mony of the high sense entertained
by Congress Of his gallantry and
good conduct at the storming of
Monterey, May s and 9, 1916.
Resolution approved on March 2,
1857.
1t is evident that Congress in
those days had an appreciation of
soldierly valor, as it appropriated
$4,000 for this sword presented to
General Twiggs. II is beautifully
ornamented with precious stones,
and various devices suggestive of
military exploits. Engraved upon
it is a representation OF
THE BATTLE of MONTEREY.
Another of the swords bears an
inscription showing that il was pre-
sented to General Twiggs by bis
fellow-citizens of Augusta, Georgia,
where he lived. This one is said to
have cost $4,000. The third was
testimonial to General Twiggs from
the State of Georgia, its value being
fixed at the more moderate sum of
5000. 1t has engraved upon it
the names of Monterey, Palo Alto,
Cerro Gordo, and other battles in
Mexico in which General Twiggs
was engaged. 1t is well known how
Twiggs lost the good name he
gained by fighting for the flag in
Mexico. Just prior to the late war
he was in command of the Depart
ment of Texas, with his headquar-
tiers at San Antonio. With the first
rumblings OF the approaching con-
flict he made haste to cast his for.
tunes with the rebellious States
Nearly two months before the war
was actually begun by the attack on
Fort Sumter he turned over to the
rebel authorities of Texas all the
arms, ammunition and government
property under his control, and
surrendered his soldiers as prison
ers of war. The records of the army
show that for this traitorous action
be was dismissed the service on
March /, 1861. Twiggs was then an
old man-nearly 20. He was too
infirm for active field service, and
he did nothing thereafter to make
him conspicuous. Indeed the great
destroyer was upon his track, and
left him but little time to " set his
house in order" He returned
to his former home in Augusta,
and
DIED RRoKEN-HEARTED,
i. is said. September /, 1852. His
swords, mementoes, and his former
glory were deposited for safe-keep-
ing in the vaults Of a bank in New
Orleans. They fell into the hands
of General Butler when he captured
that city, and were by him confis-
Gated" !" and sent to President Lin
coin in 1862. They were turned
over to the Treasury Department
for safe-keeping. Their custodian
became connected with the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing, which
is a branch of the Treasury. When
the Bureau was removed to the new
building, near the Smithsonian, he
took the swords with him, and there
they remain, even unto this day.
A few years ago the heirs of Gener-
al Twiegs filed with the government
q claim for the swords. placing their
value at $4,000. They want either