82 BULLETIN 16 3, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



airy saber type, has a very heavy convex back, which overhangs the 

 sides for three-fourths of the length of the weapon and from that 

 point continues as an elevated ridge on each side of the blade to the 

 end of that portion of the weapon. The obverse of the blade is dec- 

 orated in silver chasing with various designs, including the United 

 States arms, trophies, and scrolls ; the reverse is similarly decorated 

 with various designs and the letters " U. S." The grip is of silver 

 plate grooved and wound spirally with 10 turns of gilt wire. The 

 pommel is a brass helmet, the lower part of which is decorated with 

 an eagle. The knuckle guard is a gilt strip, which is continued to 

 form an oval openwork counterguard decorated with oak-leaf 

 designs set with rubies and terminating above the blade in a mon- 

 ster's head. The scabbard is steel decorated with three heavy brass 

 mounts, which bear scroll and oak-leaf designs set with rubies. The 

 obverse is inscribed : " Malvern Hill, Bull Run, Williamsburg, 

 A.ntietam, Fredericksburg, Seven Pines " ; and the reverse as fol- 

 lows : " Presented to General Frank "Wlieaton by the Noncommis- 

 sioned Officers and Privates of the 2nd Regt. R. I. Volunteers, as a 

 token of regard and esteem, while their colonel, Dec. 13, 1862." 



A sword of still greater artistic interest than those just described 

 is one ■'^ presented to General Wheaton by the State of Rhode Island 

 in 1865. The blade is broad and straight with two edges. Both sides 

 are heavily chased in silver on a gold background with the letters 

 " U. S.," the United States arms, and floral and scroll designs. The 

 grip consists of a silver-plated, heavily draped, female figure stand- 

 ing erect and holding a wreath of laurel aloft in her right hand. The 

 quillons are formed of a very heavy S-shaped scroll terminating 

 below the grip in a heavy medallion, the center of which is set with 

 a large oval-shaped amethyst, surrounded by cupids superimposed 

 upon a laurel wreath. A large oval shield on the obverse of the 

 blade consists of a similar wreath bearing in the center an oval 

 setting of blue enamel, upon which is mounted a silver monogram 

 consisting of the letters " F. W." The scabbard is gilded and 

 decorated with three ornate mounts. The first of these bears the 

 seal of Rhode Island on the obverse and a dagger between laurel 

 leaves on the reverse; the second bears on the obverse a medieval 

 trophy of arms and on the reverse a shield inscribed " U. S." ; and 

 the third bears a spray of oak leaves on both the obverse and the 

 reverse. Between the second and third of these mounts on the 

 obverse is the inscription in eight lines: '"' Presented to Brevet Major 

 General Frank Wlieaton, U. S. V., for gallant and meritorious 

 services during the war and especially in the Battles of Opequan, 

 Fishers Hill, and Middletown, by the State of Rhode Island, 



« Length, 100.5 cm. Blade, 83.3 cm. long, 2.5 cm. wide. PI. 26, fig. 3. 



