The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-05-15

John Paul Jones. One of his flags is
exhibited and a cutlass and musket
captured from the Scraps in 117s.
The original Star Spangled Banner
which inspired Francis Scott Key to
write the poem, now our National an
them. is displayed in the museum
Commodore Stephen Decatur's
sword Is an interesting relic OF this
remarkable sea fighter, who gained
distinction in the Tnpolitan war,
served calamity In the War of 1912,
and forced the Dey of 'A1giers to re-
nounce all claims of tribute from the
United States in 1875 The sword of
Commodore James Bidd1e distin-
guished in the War Of 1912, is also on
exhibition.
A silver service presented to Capt
James Lawrence, after his capture Of
the British sloop of war Peacock in
1913, is preserved in the museum.
Reminiscent of one of the best
known naval heroes, Admiral David
G. Farragut, is the uniform worn by
him when, aloft In the rigging Of the
Hartford at Mobile Bay, he exclaim-
ed, Damn the torepdoes, go aneadi''
The National Museum possesses a
statue of Rear Admiral Andrew II.
Foote, and some of his uniform coats,
epaulets, etc. There are several me-
mentos of Rear Admiral Charles H
Davis, who was both a fighter and
scientist; and the uniform and hat of
Admiral David D. Porter, who once
remarked before a battle, EVERY shot
costs the government So, SO none
must be wasted"
Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes, the
great explorer, is recalled by his coat,
hat and epau1ets, and by an extensive
collection of natural history speci-
mems from the southern seas, depos-
tied in another part of the museum
A number of relics, including
swords, commissions, manuscripts,
ETC., re1ate>-to the career of Rear Ad-
| mira1 Stephen Decatur Trenchard,
wounded when he accompanied Capt
Josiah Tattna11, who went to the aid
of the British in China, July rs, 1859
after declaring Blood is thicker than
water" creating a phrase very much
alive today. The museum is, also In
| possession of certain relics which be-
1onged to Admiral Trenchard's faith
er, Capt. Edward Trenchard, twice
rewarded by Congress for his ser
vices, and many other relics Of var
ious notable naval officers
There is a rifle once used by Col
| ''Davy" Crockett, one Of the heroes
of the Alamo, and a silver tomahawl
| presented to him. The >epaulets ant
sword of Capt. Seth B. Thornton, one
of the first Americans to figh
against Mexico in 1916, are alst
\ shown. In a separate case with othe1
relics and rnernentos is the buckski1
coat of Maj. Gen George A Custer
Among the Lawton collections ii
the medal Of honor won by Maj Cen
Henry W. Lawtor, who served heroic.
ally in the Civil war, in Indian cam
1paigns, Cuba and the Philippines
Some Of the personal relics Of Capt
Charles Grid1ey of the Olympia, re
call the remark of Admiral Georg,
Dewey, when entering Manila Bay
You may fire. when you are ready
Grid1ey." The sword Of Capt. NChar1e
G. Sigsbee OF the Ms1ne, and a mum
Der of relics recovered from tn.
wreck itself, form part Of the coIlec
TONS pertaining to the war witt
Spain.
A series Of medals awarded by tn
| government for meritorious services
bravery, participation in campaigns
l1ife-savings, Workmanship, ETC., an
many foreign medals conferred upo.
Americans are also to be seen.