Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-22

war broke out he was appointed captain
in Roosevelts Rough Riders, and was
killed on his 9TH birthday while leading
the advance at la Guasinla, Cuba. The
relics OF this officer in the museum consist
OF fourteen objects.
Much space would be occupied In a de-
tailed description Of the relies of General
William Tecumseh Sherman, OF General
James Shields. whose gallant services in the
Mexican and civil wars are still fresh in
the minds OF many; OF Commodore Jesse
Duncan Elliott, who captured two British
vessels at Fort Erie while serving under
Perry, or Of Commodore James Biddle.
who, when first lieutenant Of the Wasp,
fell in with and captured six British mer-
chantment conveyed by the Frolic, and
was also conspicuous in the Tripoli war
So1-1SO5), the war of 1912 and the war
with Mexico.
Special mention should be made Of the
naval cutlsss which John Paul Jones, COM
manding the Bon Homme Richard. captured
from the English ship Scraps. The collec-
ton also contains the sword which was pre-
scented to that indomitable fighter by the
king Of France, as well as a sword, musket
and piece Of the flag from the Scraps, to-
gether with the entire flag of his own ship
Then there are the swords OF Brigadier
General Gabriel Rene Paul. who served
with much gallantry in the Seminole, the
Mexican and civil wars; an antique Spanish
sword which was presented to Captain J.
7. ord IN Mexico and several scimitars
which were presented to Commodore Mat
thew Galbraith Perry, brother OF the hero
Of Fort Erie, by All Pasha, hey OF Egypt
while with the Concord at Alexandra In
1892.
Dewey's Famous sword.
The handsome sword which congress
voted to Admiral Dewey for his victory
over the Spanish fleet in Manila bay, May /,
1898, was exhibited in the National museum,
together with the sword which was pre-
scented to him by the city OF Boston, but
they have been withdrawn, temporarily at
any rate much to the disappointment Of
many visitors
The former of these two swords is COM
posed entirely Of twenty-five carat gold,
with the exception of the steel blade and
the body metal OF the scabbard. On the
pommel is carved the name Of the battle
ship olympia" and the zodiacal sign for
December. the month In which Admiral
Dewey was born. Circling these is
wreath of oak leaves. the standard decora-
ton for rank. Below this is a gold collar,
on the front of which are the arms Of the
United States with the blue field Of the
shield in enamel, and below them are the
arms OF Vermont, the admirars native
state, with the motto, Freedom and
Unity" and the colors of the shield in
enamel. Stars decorate the plain portion Of
the collar and a graceful finish Is given to
this part of the hilt by narrow band of
oak leaves. The grip is covered with fine
shark skin, bound with gold wire and in
laid with gold stars.
The guard consists Of conventional
eagle terminating in a claw clasping the
top, indicating control and confidence"
the outspread wings forming the guard
proper.
The scabbard is of thin steel, darnascened
in gold with sprays Of Ros marinuE, a deli
cate sea plant signifying fidelity. con-
stancy and remembrance.
The sword blade is damascened with the
inscription:
1.-THE gift Of the nation to Rear Admiral
George Dewey, U. s. N, in memory OF the
victory at Manila bay May 1, 1895"
The mounting of the belt and the trap
pings are the regulation buckles, pierced
side rings and swivels, all Of twenty-five
carat gold and ornamented with oak leaves
and acorns.
The visitors to the museum will also be
interested in the relics of Lieutenant David
Jameson and General Jacob Brown, who
distinguished himself in tho battles of Chip
pewa, Erie and Niagara in 1874; Of Briga-
der General e. w. Ripley, nephew OF Presi-
dent Wheelock OF Dartmouth college, for
his brave services at Niagara. Attention
will also be drawn to the more recently
added swords of General Fitzpatrick. Brig
adler General John Wynn Davidson, Gen
eral George w. Morgan and Ransom Clark,
who alone escaped death in the massacre Of
Major Dade's command of 1T men near
Wahoo swamp during the second war with
the Seminole Indians QSS5-1S42).
Added to ali Of these are several swords
and other weapons which were picked up
on battle fields and which, although un-
labeled, serve as silent witnesses to the
sacrifice of many noble lives in defense Of
their country. Washington Star.