The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-12-14
4 NI7IONIL MJLITfRY MUSEUM
Arms, Armor, and Accoutrcments-'rrOphi
and Relics Of Many bnitietieids.

and Relies Of Many iintticticIds.
One OF the buildings on Governors Island
contains the nucleus of museum which. nj
though founded and maintained by private
body, the Military Service Institution. deserves
to be called national Its contributions. in fact
come from all parts of the country, and include
besides objects OF professional value to military
students many hundreds that possess a gen-
eral and popular interest.
Here. for example. we find tho stuffed hide
OF the famous horse Winchester. on which
Sheridan made his memorable ride to Cedar
Creek. 1t may be noted. by the way. that this
charger served throughout tho war. Sheridan
had him first in the spring of 1862. when Colonel
Of the Second Michigan Cavalry, and rode him
in the battles of Perryville. Murfreesboro
Chicknmauga. Missionary Ridge. and other
engagements at tho West, as we'll as through
out the Virginia campaign Of 1864 and 1860.
from the Wilderness to Appomattox. VIM
chester died about six years ago. at the age Of
20. Gen. Sheridan describes him as an ami
nal of great intelligence and of immense
strength and endurance" His remains have a
lifelike look, and are, surmounted by the sad
de saddle cloth. bride. and holsters used in
the Cedar Creek ride.
Many battle flags and guidons, the relics OF
their owners or guardians Each has its inter
esting history. One Is Il Corean nag, OF yellow
serge. with u tiger embroidered on IL. captured
by marine Of the Colorado In an attack upon
n Corean fort in 1871. A Mexican flag captured
at Ch9ruhusc3 and u fragment OF the flag that
floated over Fort Sumter at its surrender in
1861 merit special mention
OF arms armor, and ammunition, there is, of
course. great variety. The cannon and pro-
Jectiles are in tho basement of the museum
and the small arms and armor on the second
floor. Old French and English mortars and
times. are side BY side with modern ordnance
One Spanish wall piece. mounted on heavy
enH Tss y YER hs %
sabres, shot and Shell. clothing and equip
tries. and some have u special history. bent
musket barrel is one Of n stack of muSkets
charged. killing half a dozen officers and
men. shirt OF chain mail WAS brought by the
nns OF . GSri boa1 9 GrS9 &
chief slain by our troops under Gen. Carr.
Vt, The Indian trophies and curios include the
ornamented with porcupne quilts and toes
from the hoofs Of sI1ty.ioIr deer There are
arrows. clubs, and moccasns.
Among the miscellaneous relics are two
Joined bullets from the field Of Watsroo. one
posed TO have met in midn ir. There is piece
Of Luther's pulpit, the lock OF the old sugar
of Fort sumter. AndersonviIle. the Kenrsnrgo
and the Merrimac: La Vegas spurs captured
at Resacn De IL Palma; bricks, from famous
ediiceS, and bullets from many battleilelds.
Rare books and manuscripts relating to tho
military profession are on the shelves. Some
OF these are more than three and a half CEN
turtles old. There are autograph letters OF
Washington Lafayette. Rochambeau, Gates
and other officers OF tho Revolution. Il am
very sorry, sir" writes Lafayette to NJ du
Bonchet. that Your health compes you to
leave us: 1t Is always pleasant to find ourself
in n strange land with fellow countryinen who
there conduct themselves like you. l remem-
Der with great pleasure, sir, to have been mt
college with your brother. and ! beg you to
give him thousand compliments when YOU
see h M" The last autograph of Scott has u
certain interest: 4 gallant sergeant tRowey)
solicits my autograph Winfield Scott, April g.
1885,. There are two strik ing letters OF Abra-
hhm Lincoln to Gen. Hooker. about the time
OF Chhncellorsvie never published except in
the catalogue OF this museum
- Portraits of Scott, Brown, Lincoln, Stanton
Grant sherman, Sheridan. Thomas Meade
Hancock, md others are in the museum with
various pictures of battle scenes and views Of
the military posts at the West. Among recent
accessions are the Lanthier collection OF an
Client armor and Lieut.. Greeiy's Arctic flag
flag in the world.
III, The museum is in great part loan collec.
ton. This fact, however. does not diminish its
value. The security Afforded by the isolation
OF GOVERNORS Island and by the constant mill
tary guard over the buildings, has tempted
many persons to deposit there, subject to re-
call their souvenirs of campaigning or objects
OF historical and military interest. II its
growth shall be as rapid in future as hitherIo,
tnls, now little known museum will become one
OF the most valuable and Interesting