The National tribune., 1901-10-24
THE GRANT lCOLLECTION.
Priceless Relics in the National Museum
at Washington,

The Grant relics in the National Mu-
scum at Washington form perhaps the
most interesting historical and valuable
collection of the many in that extensive
institution. They are on exhibition III
large glass cases near the main front en-
trance of the Museum, where they are
always under the 7yatchful eyes of sew
eral attaches. Just beyond the Grant
relics are cases containing those of Presl.
dent Lincoln, Gen. w. S. Hancock and
other celebrities.
Great interest attaches to the collection
of Gen. Ulysses $. Grant because they
represent many phases in his eventful
career, from his boyhood days in Illinois
to the last sad hours of his existence, on
Mount McGregor, New York.
Preserved with the greatest care by
the great soldier during his lifetime,
guarded by the grateful Nation which he
served so patriotically and effectively in
the days of its greatest peril. The in
trinsic value of the collection is great
its sentimental value to the Republic can
not be expressed in words.
As n sort of Introductory to the relics,
the first case contains life-size bust in
white marble of the hero Of AppOmattoX,
also the insignia of his crowning military
glory, his epaulets as General of the
Army. These are of gold with solid
crescent, the device being two fye-rayed
stars and the arms of the United States
embroidered in gold between the stars.
Near the epaulets are the shoulder
straps. four golden stars, worn by Gen.
Grant after the war; also, his shoulder
straps of Licutcnant-G General three gold
en- stars, which he wore during the last
campaigns before Petersburg and Rich
mond. Then, as a historical connecting
link, there are his shoulder-straps as Il
Brigadier lone star, which he wore at
Belmont, Fort DOnelSon and Shiloh in
the 1861 and 1862 campaigns.
The veterans who fought with Gen.
Grant at Fort DonesOn, Feb. 6, 1862,
will no doubt remember the eagle Orna-
ment he wore on his army hat, which an
Illinois soldier described as "a fighting
bird with its beak and claws sharpened
ready for battle" That self-same eagle,
tarnished with age and dull-looking from
rough usage, occupies place of honor in
the case in company with gold and dia-
mond ornamented trophies worth many
thousand dollars.
His old wartime uniform, around which
cluster so many thrilling memories, is
also there. 1t is agc-dusty and lacks the
nattiness Of an up-tO-date military uni
form of high rank. it is true, but that
aged suit once covered the length and
breadth Of an American General whose
fame is worldwide and whose deeds have
made an indelible impress upon the pages
of history.
Next are Gen. Grants field glasses used
by him throughout the war The covering
is frayed at its edges and the cylinders
battered and SCARED. An aged veteran,
who lost his right arm in front of Peters
burg, stood gazing retlcctively at the
glasses the other day.
All" he finally said to his companion,
IF those old binoculars could only speak
what they have seen of the panorama of
war; if they could tell of the thoughts
of their brave owner as he watched
through their lenses the varying phases
of the fight, what a contribution of un-
written history it would be-
'The sword Of Donelson" is the next
of the Grant relics. 1t is inscribed: Pre-
sented to Gen. L. S. Grant, Galcna, Ill,
by @. w. Graham. G. w. Lagow and
John Cook" The blade is straight and
etched with military trophies The pom
mel is decorated with bas-reliefs and the
grip is of carved ivory.
Then there is '.the sword of Chatta-
nooga," presented TO Gen Grant by the
citizens of .Jo Davicss County, Ill. This
blade is also straight and double-edged,
etched with monogram and military
trophies. The porrimel is of gold. and
the grip and guard-plate ornamented with
tortoise-shell and inscribed, THE Hero of
the Mississippi" The scabbard is Of gold
engraved with the names and dates of the