80 BULLETIN 1G3, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Both the obverse and the reverse sides are etched with the United 

 States arms and trophy and floral designs. The grip is covered with 

 white shark skin and wound with gilded strips. The pommel is 

 decorated with a trophj' flanked by United States flags, an oak-leaf 

 scroll, and a circle of stars. The guard is of the regulation type, 

 but the space between the first and second branches is closed by a 

 medallion bearing a trophy of arms and flags. The second and 

 third branches are bordered by sprays of palm and laurel. The 

 obverse side of the gilt scabbard is decorated with two mounts in 

 high relief, one of which bears the United States arms and the other 

 a trophy. The lower portion is engraved with an ornate design of 

 arms and floral scrolls below a liberty cap surmounted by a sunburst. 

 The upper part is engraved " Lieut. General P. H. Sheridan, U. S. 

 Army.'' The three swords just described were ail lent to the Na- 

 tional Museum in 1926 by Mrs. Philip H. Sheridan. 



SWORD OWNED BY GEN. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN 



A sword "** of unusual historical interest in the National Museum 

 collection is one that was presented to Gen. William T. Sherman, 

 United States Army, in recognition of his services during the Battle 

 of Shiloh. The blade is long and straight with two edges and a flat 

 surface. The obverse is inscribed in silver chasing as follows: 

 " Headquarters Department of the Mississippi, Pittsburg, Tenn., 

 April 13, 1862. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War; Sir, It is 

 the unanimous opinion here that Brigadier General W. T. Sherman 

 saved the fortune of the day on the 6th and contributed largely to 

 the glorious victory of the 7th. He was in the thickest of the fight 

 on both days, having three horses killed under him and being wound- 

 ed twice. I respectfully request that he be made a major general of 

 volunteers to date from the 6th instant. Very respectfully; your 

 obedient servant H. W. Halleck, Major General Commanding." 

 The reverse side is decorated with the figures of Columbia support- 

 ing the American flag and a succession of ornate floral and scroll 

 designs. The pommel consists of the figure of an eagle standing on 

 a globe decorated with stars. The knuckle guard is a silver gilt 

 strip covered with laurel leaves, and the end near the pommel is 

 decorated with a scroll inscribed '' Pittsburg Landing, April 6 & 7, 

 1862." The quillon terminates above the blade in the head of Mars, 

 and a blue enamel shield on the obverse bears in gold letters set with 

 diamonds, the initials " W. T. S." The scabbard is gilt with three 

 mounts, the one nearest the hilt bearing the head of Mars on a trophy 

 of United States flags, and the other two consisting of oak and laurel 



** Length, 98.5 cm. Blade, 7S.5 cm. long, 2.5 cm. wide. Inscribed " Tiffany & Co., 

 N. Y." PI. 26, tig. 1. 



