Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-22
SWORDS OF NOTED WARRIORS
Historic Weapons Carried by Eminent
officers Of the Army and Navy.
TROPHIES IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
Relics OF Grant, sherman, Hancock,
Shields, Paul Jones and Dewey
Souvenirs of All the Wars
of the Republic.

contain a most interesting and brilliant
array OF American swords, which were
either carried by military and naval Off
GERS. presented by congress to victorious
leaders, or purchased from the families Of
heroes and given to the nation as a lasting
tribute to their fame
-Four Of General Grants swords are In
the possession of the National museum.
The FIRST, known as the Sword of Chat
tanOoga," was presented to him by citizens
Of 10 Davies county, Illinois. 1t has a
gold pommel. with grip guard and guard
plate ornamented with tortoise shell, and
inscribed THE Hero Of the Mississippi"
The see bbard, also OF gold, is engraved
with the names and dates OF the battles
Of the Mexican war in which General Grant
was engaged. and also of the battles at
Belmont, Black River bridge. Vicksburg
and Chattanooga.
The New York Sword" was presented
to General Grant by some Of his friends
through the metropolitan fair in aid Of the
United States Sanitary commission, New
York. April %, 1864. It's blade is etched
with military trophies and other designs
The pommel is Of gilded silver, inlaid with
rubies, diamonds and sapphires. The grip
is Of oxidized silver, decorated with bas-
reliefs. The scabbard is of sterling silver
polished and gilded and is engraved with
the generals name, date of presentation,
etc.
The Sword OF Donelson" was General
Grants favorite tribute to his valor. When
the right wing of his army was attacked
by the confederate troops at Fort Donel-
son, one Of his officers, observing that the
soldiers haversacks were filled with ra-
tons, reported the fact to the general,
adding: "They have come out prepared to
fight for several days" Grant replied:
This means retreat boys. Soldiers don't
I'LL haversacks like this unless they are
planning to run away. Now, then, one
more sharp attack and wen finish the
fight" After 1t had become apparent that
success would crown Grants arms General
Buckner inquired on what terms he would
accept his surrender. To this Grant re-
piled, Unconditional surrender are my only
terms" and soon afterward his army took
possession of the fort. In honor Of this
victory the Sword of Donelson" was pre-
sented to General Grant by Messrs. @. w
Graham, c. c. March, c. w. Layout and
John Cook. It's straight edge is etched
with military trophies. The pommel is
decorated with bas-reliefs The grip Of
carved ivory and the gold-plated scabbard
is engraved with Grants name and the
names Of the donors.
A Spanish Weapon.
The fourth of Grants swords, a Spanish
weapon, was presented to him in 1873 by
the Republic of Spain. It has a guard of
steel, ivory grip and steel scabbard, orna-
mented in gold and enamel. On the blade
are inscribed the following words: BEL
mont. Donelson. Shiloh, vicksburg Mission
Ridge, Spottsylvania Richmond. Let us
have peace. u. s. G.. Fabrico de Toledo,
1879" while on the hilt is the inscription,
"E pluribus unum."
There are also on exhibition four swords
concentrating the victories of General
Winfield Scott Hancock, who was espe-
oially conspicuous at the battles Of Fred
ericksburg, Charlottesville and Gettys-
burg, and as the leader OF the Second Army
corps in the campaign of the Army OF the
Potomac. They are ~ the regulation
sword which he carried through the civil
war, (a) the sword OF Captain Edward
Johnson, given TO him by the citizens of
Virginia for service in Mexico and pre-
scented by Captain Johnson to General
Hancock 3) the sword which was pre-
scented TO him at Yorktown, Va. in 1881,
and % his regulation sword, which he
carried as major general.
Three generations OF the Capron family
are represented in the nations collection
OF swords Captain Erastus Allyn Capron
distinguished himself in the Seminole war,
and later served on the Canadian frontier.
In 1877 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. He was killed at
the battle OF Churnsbusco, August 90 1s47
while storming the strongly entrenched
convent, which served as a citadel. His
sword with white leather baldric and plate
was deposited in the museum by his
daughter.
Relic of the Last War.
Captain Allyn Capron, his son, who served
with distinction in the Mexican and siouS
campaigns, went later with General Shaftei
| to Cuba, and to the Capron battery wai
assigned the duty of firing the salute II
| honor of the victory at Santiago. He con
| tracted a fever in Cuba, which led to hit
death later at Fort Myer, in Virginia
Many interesting relics of this brave mar
are in the National museum, including hi
regulation artillery sword, belt and breast
| plate.
Captain Allyn X. Caproh son Of Captain
Allyn and grandson Of Captain Erastui
| Allyn, was one OF the earliest victims o.
| the Spanish war. He enlisted In the cav
alary when 10 years old and after thre,
years was commissioned second neutenan
In the Fifth infantry. When the Spanish