The Washington times., 1901-11-17
HISTORY TOLD BY SWORDS
Remarkable Collection of Weapons
Now in the National Museum.
An Exhibit Which includes the Iron
Bfndes of The Psiritans and the
Handsome One Presented to Adj
mirai Dewey-Others of Interest.

A large portion of American history
| is told at the National Museum by
swords Worn by heroes in battle or
presented to them on victories, these
narrow strips of steel, the emblem in
all ages of war, and strife, and carnage,
| attest the storms through which the
ship of state" has passed and pro-
claim the names and deeds of those
who have guided it safely through the
tempeSts.
The sword presented to Admiral
| Dewey BY Congress in October. 1888, ID
one of the most recent and notable ad-
| dition,i to the collection. This beauti-
full weapon is mounted with 22-carat
gold. On the pommeI is carved the
name Of tie battleship Olympia and
the Zodacal sign for December, the
month of Admiral Dewey's birth. Cir
cling these there is a closely woven
| wreath of oak leaves, the standard dec
Grafton for rank The metal work, far
ther down, takes the form of gold
collar on the front of which are the
arms of the United States with the blue
field of the shield in enamel Stars dec
crate the plain portion of the collar,
and a graceful finish is given to this
part of the hilt by a narrow band of
oak leaves. The grip is covered with
fine shark skin, bound with gold wire,
and inlaid with gold stars.
The guard is composed of a conven-
tional eagle. terminating in a claw
clasping the top, indicating, it is said,
control and confidence" the outspread
wings forming the guard proper In
the beak of the eagle is a laurel wreath.
The scabbard is of thin steel damas-
cened in gold with sprays of ros mari
nus, a delicate sea plant, signifying
fidelity, constance, and remembrance.
Sprays of oak leaves and acorns secure
the rings and trappings of the scab-
bard; above these, on the front OF the
scabbard, is a raised monogram in dia-
monds entwining the letters. &c. d.
and Immediately Under them are the
letters, u. S. NJ surmounted by
sprays of ros martnus. The blade is
damascened with the following in
scription:
1.-The gift of the nation to Rear Ad-
miral George Dewey. U. S. N, in mem
ory of the victory at Manila Bay. May
/, 1885,
Besides the inscription the blade is
further ornamented on the same side
with a representation of Phoenician
galley. The other side of the blade is
adorned in da, 1ascening depicting the
flight Of the eagles of victory, bearing
festoons of laurel to the four quarters
of the earth.
An extraordinary story of the devo-
ton and sacrifice of a family to the
flag for several generations is told in
the swords of the Caprons. Capt Eras-
tus Allyn Capron served in the war
against the Seminole Indians, when he
distinguished himself for bravery and
gallant conduct in the battle of the
Withlacouchee. A year later he was
made first lieutenant. Two years. tol-
lowing, during the disturbance on the
Canadian border, he served on the
northern frontier. He was afterward
stationed at HOulton, Me-, pending the
disputed territory controversy, and
became captain in iS47. During that
year he served in the Mexican war, and
was engaged in the siege of Vera Cruz,
and in the Battle of Cerro Gordo. He
also fought in the battles of La Hoya,
Okla Laka, and Contreras. In the bat
tie of Cherubusoo, August 20, 1S4I, while
gallantly leading his company in the
storming of the entrenched position of
the enemy he fell mortally wounded.
His sword, with white leather baldric
and plate, vas deposited in the museum
last year by his daughter. His son, Al
Iyn. followed in his fathers footsteps.
After filling many positions efficiently,
he served, with conspicuous gallantry,
in the Mexican and Sioux campaigns,
and was recommended for a brevet for
gallantry in action at the battles OIL
Wounded Knee and Drexel Mission.
Later he went with General Shafter to
Cuba. 1t is said that Capron5 guns
opened the tight at Santiago, and some
days later, when General ToraI surren-
dered, the Capron battery was assigned
the duty of firing the salute in honor |
of the victory. Captain Capron died at
Fort Myer Va from the effects of a |
the knowledge that he had been recon- |
mended for brevet for gallantry dur
ing the Spanish American war.
Capt. Allyn X. Capron, son of the lat |
ter, was one of the earliest heroes and |
victims of the Spanish war. His last |
words, Don't mind me, boys, but go |
on and fight are fresh in every mind. |
He enlisted when nine teen in Troop 3, |
Fourth United States Calvary, in order
TO obtain u commission, having failed to
secure an appointment at West Point. |
After three years in the service he was
commissioned second lieutenant in the
Fifth United States Infantry. Shortly |
afterwaTd he was assigned to duty at
st. Augustine, Fla, and a few months
later was ordered to Mount Vernon |
Ala, to take charge of the
Apache Indian prisoners of war In
1894 he was transferred to the Seventh
United States Cavalry still remaining
with the Indians, who had now been
under his charge to Fort
Sill, l. T.. On the breaking out of the
Spanish American war he was appoint
ed Il captain in ROosevelts Rough
Riders, and was killed on his twenty
seventh birthday. while leading the ad-
vance at Las Guasimas Cuba. The in
fantry sword and cavalry sabre of this
brave officer. together with other me-
are to be seen at the National
Museum.
Another interesting relic of the Span
ish war is the sword carried by Lieut..