50 BULLETIN 16 3, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. During the last-named engage- 

 ment he was deprived of the sight of both eyes by a rifle ball and was 

 granted sick leave during the remainder of the conflict. He died in 

 Washington, D. C, in 1886. His sword was lent to the National 

 Museum in 1896 by Col. A. C. Paul, United States Army. 



SWORDS OWNED BY BRIG. GEN. JAMES SHIELDS 



Two other very interesting presentation swords in the National 

 Museum were presented to Brig. Gen. James Shields, United States 

 Volunteers, by the State of Illinois and the State of South Carolina, 

 respectivel3^ The blade of the first '^^ is of a somewhat antiquated 

 type with a broad shallow groove extending about three-fourths its 

 length. The obverse is decorated in gold chasing with a design 

 showing American troops crossing the Rio Grande, the whole being 

 flanked by floral and trophy designs. The reverse is decorated in 

 silver chasing on a gold ground with a view of the American 

 troops entering the City of Mexico, and the whole is flanked by floral 

 and trophy designs. The grip of this sword, which is unusually 

 large, is finished in gilt. The obverse side bears the figure of Mars 

 standing and the reverse the figure of Ulysses standing. The pom- 

 mel is formed by a medieval helmet with plume covering the end of 

 the grip and in one piece with that portion of the hilt. The quillons 

 are formed by two eagles standing with extended wings back to back 

 on each side of the blade. Immediately below these on the obverse 

 is a shield decorated with the head of Zeus and on the reverse with 

 the United States shield. The scabbard, which is finished in gilt, 

 bears two small mounts on the obverse, one of which is decorated 

 with the head of Medusa and the other with a plain shield sur- 

 j'ounded by a geometrical design. Between the two is engraved the 

 inscription : " Presented by the State of Illinois to General James 

 Shields for gallant services at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, 

 Churubusco, Chapultepec, and the City of Mexico." The remaining 

 surface of the scabbard is engraved with large floral designs. 



The sword ^^ presented to General Shields by the State of South 

 Carolina is of a more ornate and costly design than the one just 

 described. The blade is of the regular type of the Mexican War 

 period with two edges and a single, narrow, deep central groove. 

 The obverse is decorated in silver chasing with trophies including 

 quivers, cannon, drums, swords, and the United States shield sur- 

 rounded by a sunburst and floral and scroll designs. The reverse 

 is decorated in the same manner with the addition of the United 

 States coat of arms. The grip is 8-sided, and is faced with alternate 



■^6 Length, 99 cm. Blade, 80 cm. long, 2.5 cm. wide. PI. 19, fig. 2. 

 ■f* Length, 97.5 cm. Blade, 80.8 cm. long, 2.8 cm. wide. Marked "Ames Mfg. Co., 

 Chicopee, Mass." PI. 19, fig. 3. 



