The Colorado statesman., 1917-06-02
MANY RELICS IN
NATIONAL MUSEUM
Roles Played by American Patri-
OTIS in History Of Country
Are Perpetuated.
MEMENTOs OF WASHINGTON
Uniform and Equipment Used by "The
Father Of His Country" In Field
Among the Most Highly
Prixed Exhibits.

The roles played by patriotic Ameri-
cans in the history OF the country are
perpetuated in the exhibition halls OF
the division of history in the United
States National museum at Washing
ton, where n large portion of the Arts
and Industries building is devoted to
the preservation of historical relics.
The exhibits are intended to illustrate
by an appropriate assemblage of OBJ
jects, the lives of distinguished person
ages, important events, and the DOM
este life of the United States from
colonial times to the present day. The
collections in these halls are especial
ly rich in relics and mementos of
American army and navy officers, and
include uniforms, swords, guns, flags,
and many other objects which recall
the names and services of their Illus
trious owners.
Probably nothing in all the collec-
tions more quickly touches the hearts
of true Americans, than certain OBJ
jects once the property of 1.-THE Father
of His Country" While composed
mostly of household articles, there are
also several martial accessories. Con-
spicuous among these. is pair of gold
wire epaulets worn by Washington
when a colonel during the French and
Indian war, notably throughout the
Braddock campaign in 1855. His Con-
tinental army uniform, worn at Annap-
oils, Nd, when he resigned his COM
mission as commander in chief of the
Continental army, December %, 1888,
is one Of the most highly valued OBJ
jects in the museum. Another great
attraction is the equipment used by
him in the field, consisting of his tents
with poles and pegs, mess chest and
various utensils, his writing case and
spy glass.
Life Masks of Lincoln.
There are two life masks of Abra-
ham Lincoln, casts of his hands, and
suit of clothing worn by him while
president. The museum is fortunate
in having a large number of objects
pertaining to the life Of Gen. U. s.
Grant, particularly the gifts he re-
ceived during his journey around the
world on the termination of his presi-
dency. Among these personal relics
are several swords, a uniform coat,
saddle, canes, epaulets, medals and
commissions.
Paul Revere, famous as the hero of
the ride to Lexington and Concord in
1775, and who served as lieutenant
colonel of artillery throughout the Rev.
olution, was a silversmith by trade,
and the museum has several excellent
examples of silversmith's work execut-
ed by him.
Commencing with the days of the
Revolution and extending through the
periods of all our wars, there are in
the national collections interesting
swords and other objects owned by
such men as Alexander Hamilton, John
Hancock, Brig. Gen. Peter Gansevoort,
Jr., Brig. Gen. Montgomery G. Meigs,
Marquis de Lafayette, Count de Roch-
ambeau, Brig. Gen. Thaddeus Kosciusz-
ko, Brig. Gen. Eleazar w. Ripley, Maj.
Gen. Jacob Brown, Maj. Gen. John
Bankhead Magruder, Maj. Gen. Alex
ander Macomb, Maj. Gen. George w.
Morgan, Brig. Gen. James Shields,
Brig. Gen. John Watts de Peyster, Maj.
Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, Maj.
Gen. John A. Halderman, Brig. Gen.
William ii. Browne, Maj. Gen. James
Birdseye Macpherson, and many 9TH
ers.
Relics of John Paul Jones.
Nor is the navy lacking in represen-
tatives. THERE'S fine series of relics
and mementos starting with John Paul
Jones, whose remark, 81 have just be-
gun to fight" is known to every school
boy. One Of his flags is exhibited, and
cutlass and musket captured from
the "Serapis" in 1779. 1t was Jones
who first carried the Stars and Stripes,
then the new flag of America, across
the sea. The original "Star Spangled
Banner" which inspired Francis Scott
Key to write the poem, now our ma
tional anthem is displayed in the mu-
scum.
Commodore Stephen Decatur's sword
is an interesting relic of this remark
able sea fighter who gained distinction
in the Tripolitan war, served gallantly
in the War of 1872, and forced the Dey
of Algiers to renounce all claims of
tribute from the United States in 1876
The sword of Commodore James Bid
die, distinguished in the War of 1872,
is also on exhibition.
A silver service presented to Capt.
James Lawrence, after his capture Of
the British sloop of war Peacock" in
1919 20 Dreserved in fhe museum Law
renee is better known, however, by
his words, Don't give up the ship"
spoken during the Chesapeake's en-
gagement with the Shannon, and Law
rence's last fight. Reminiscent of one
of the best-known naval heroes, Ad-
miral David @. Farragut, is the uni
form worn by him when, aloft in the