The times., 1899-09-24
RELICS OF THE late War
Some New CuriOs to Be Found at
the National Museum.
Grand Army Veterans Attracted by
the Exhibits of the Conflict With
spnfn-A Display of Articles From
the Philippines Expeeted-Interest-
ing and Instructive MementOs.


two weeks on their way from Philadelphia
to their homes found in the collection of
Spanish war relics at the National Mu-
scum, dozens of implements Of warfare
and mementos Of the recent conflict which
reminded them forcibly Of the great strug-
gle in which they participated.
During the entire week many of the
veterans in blue paused before the glass
cases labeled Relics Of the War with
Spaia." looking at each exhibit separately
aud comparing II with the corresponding
part of the equipment wtich was used IL
The War Of the Reb =. = IL
When two or three veterans happened
to meet before the Spanish relics, the COM
parisons often suggested "reminiscences OF
experiences in the great civil strife and
the attendant whose duty il is to watch
tna central part cf the building where tie
collection is located told a Times reporter
that frequently within the past few days
a small group Of old soldiers has stood
and talked for hours beside the cases.
An Interesting Collection.
To the military man the collection is of
absorbing interest, purely because OF the
specimens it contains. but TO the enthus-
iastic American who took part in the Span
ish war, or who became familiar with its
progress by reading the daily newspapers,
ii is more especially worth study on account
OF the association OF each relic with events
Of the war, recalling stirring incidents and
deeds of daring and devotion. The collec-
ton is the best of its kind in existence Ii
Is not yet completed by any means and
valuable mementos have been received at
the museum which have not yet been pre-
pared for exhibition
Within the last few DAYS consignment of
searchlights and numerous other parts re-
covered from the Spanish war vessels sunk
of the Cuban coast near Santiago have been
received from the Brooklyn navy yard, and
viii be exhibited shortly.
Relics from the Philippines have not yet
been received, but consignment is on the
way and Will probably be ready for inspec-
ton in a few weeks. The Philippine col
lection promises 10 be of such dimensions as
to require a great deal more space than is at
present available at the Museum
The comparatively small knowledge
which Americans have of the habits OF The
Fflipinos and their methods of warfare
makes the smaller and less important arti-
cles Of the equipment objects Of interest.
Relics Of the battle of Manila will soon be
received al the Museum. This exhibit, on
account Of its association with the greatest
battle Of modern times, will be especially
attractive.
The cases containing the present collec-
fion have bean placed IL the apartment un-
der the rotunea I'D seven large ones are
necessary TO properly exhibit the many ar
ticles Of historic association. Aside from
the relics shown number of curios which
are too large to be put in cases are
placed in position around the fountain in
the centre OF the rotunds- The collection
includes relics picked up on the various
battlehelds OF the war and articles asso-
ciated with every event OF Importance OF
the short but severe conflict with the ex-
ception OF those which have occurred in
and around Manila since the outbreak Of
hostilities there
The first large case contains plate and
some Of the silVerwaFe that was saved from
the wreck Of the Maine. The principal fg-
ure in this group is large soup tureen OF
solid silver that was presented 10 the OH
GERS of the iil-fated battleship soon after
/. her launching by the citizens of Maine.
Another piece Of silyerware, loving cup,
is also shown This, TOO, was presented 10
the officers of the ship by the citizens OF
the State for which the ship was named.
Both OF these pieces are in excellent condi-
ton and do not seem much the worse for
% their long soiourn in the black mud under
the waters OF Havana harbor-
Brown Powder From the Maine.
Another interesting relic from the Maine
is a bottle containing a portion OF the
brown powder from the powder magazine
which the Spanisrds said blew up and caus-
ed that vessel TO sink The powder is in
blocks bout one inch thick. and is octago-
nal in shape The powder is well preserv-
ed also. and although rendered useless
through being thoroughly soaked with wa
ter il is plain that IL was never exploded
Close 10 this exhibit there has been placed
another bottle Of powder that has had no
water 10 spoil its effectiveness. There is no
appreciable difference TO be seen by the
naked eye, although there is not a day,
the custodian OF the relics says, that some
one OF the ordnance experts from the rural
districts does not gather crowd around
him explaining the difference between the
contents Of the two vials-
Probably the most interesting article in
this case is a plate from the torpedo boat
Winslow that was so badly used up on
Cardenas, Cuba, in the early part of the
war. II was here that Ensign Worth Bag
ley was killed. The plate is part Of the
coming tower. near which the gallant en-
sign was standing when he was shot and
part OF the pinnacle lamp and compass box
from the same place are also shown. All
OF these are literally riddled with bullets
and pieces OF shell The holes made by
the former are very round and clean
IN the hard steel that shows better than
anything else the proximity OF the torpedo
boat to the shore batteries during the short
battle
Lying near the wInsIow collection Is a
large plate taken from the battleship Iowa
This plate was pierced in one place with q
6-pounder shell. The hole made by tbt
shell is very much larger than the shell
itself and long cracks branch from IL
edges There are three smaller holes il
this plate and several dents that show
where shot struck her. The rivets on on,
side Of the plate have also been started By
the force OF the shot hurled against hel
sides. This relic is interesting in man.
ways. II shows not only the fact that thl
Spaniards did sometimes strike the Ameri-
can ships, but also the stern resistance Of
fered their shots by the American steel
This plate is very large and very Leavy
il was presented TO the museum by
Capt Bob" Evans. In the centre OF ths
case has been placed one OF the mines
which were picked up IN the harbor o.
Guantanamo by the cruiser Marblehead
when the marines were landed early il
June. The mine resembles in shape the
TOY tops that are sold to children about
this tine Of the year. IL has numerou.
tubes projecting from the sides and tor
and when loaded with q high explosive !.
very dangerous weapon of warfare
Mine From Guantanamo.
This particular mine was rendered use
less by the corrosion OF the chemicals
which were TO explode it, and was picket
up by one OF the small boats Of the Mar
blehead before she attempted to land an,
-