AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN SWORDS 85 



A similar view, as concerned the sword, was taken by Lieut. Col. 

 J, C. Kelton, Assistant Adjutant General, in a communication to the 

 Chief of Ordnance April 9, 1878. Colonel Kelton thought that the 

 sword was ineffective and as a means of taking life not at all suited to 

 the sentiments of the Anglo-Saxon people of the time. He thought 

 that the European nations could not afford to eliminate the sword 

 from their military scheme because in Europe it was the emblem of 

 chivalry. The American people, however, having no such tradition, 

 should not hesitate to take such action. He was consequently in 

 favor of abolishing the sword both as a weapon and as an emblem 

 of authority. The sword was particularly inappropriate for the use 

 of the infantry officers, who were only impeded by its presence. It 

 would be far better for them to carry an emblem of command, which 

 might at the same time be useful to them as a weapon. The bayonet, 

 he thought, was far more useful and should be retained. This letter 

 was referred by the Chief of Ordnance to the Secretary of "War, 

 but no action was taken. 



The personal swords belonging to this period in the National 

 Museum collection include a number of staff and line officers' swords. 

 One of these was owned during the period from 1871 to 1876 by 

 Capt. Charles B. Atchison, United States Infantry. This sword 

 was ])resented to the National Museum in 1925 by Mrs. Caro Atchi- 

 son Smith. A second sword of this type in the collection was owned 

 by Maj. Gen. John E. Brooke, United States Army, and presented 

 by him to the National Museum in 1919. A third was owned during 

 the War with Spain by Capt. Allyn K. Capron, and was presented 

 to the National Museum in 1906 by Mrs. Allyn K. Capron. A fourth 

 sword of this type, owned by Lieut. J. Garesche Ord and carried 

 by him when he was killed at the Battle of San Juan Hill, July 1, 

 1898, was presented to the National Museum in 1906 by Mrs. Lucy 

 Ord Donaldson. A fifth, owned during the Spanish American War 

 by Capt. James T. Ord was presented to the National Museum in 

 1906 by Mrs. Lucy Ord Donaldson. A sixth sword,*^ which was 

 owned by Lieut. Gen. John McA. Schofield, United States Army, 

 was transferred to the National Museum in 1923 by the Military 

 Service Institution. 



ARTILLERY OFFICERS' SABERS 



In 1889 a very light and graceful Artillery saber was adopted for 

 use by mounted Artillery officers. The blade of this weapon is 

 slender and short with a deep curve and a medium-sized central 

 groove. The grip is covered with black leather wound with brass 



" These swords vary in leugth from 92 to 98 cm. The blades vary from 78.5 cm. to 

 81.8 cm. in length and from 1.5 cm. to 2 cm. in width. 



