AMEEICAlSr AND EUROPEAN SWORDS 47 



The blades are of two types; one is designed with a long narrow 

 central groove, and the other with a broad shallow groove. The 

 quillons are in every case broad and heavy, and the usual guard be- 

 low the grip is entirely lacking. 



SWORD OWNED BY MAJ. GEN. JOHN B. MAGRUDER 



A sword of much interest in this connection is one that was pre- 

 sented to Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder, C. S. A., by citizens of Caro- 

 line County, Va. The blade of this sword '^ is long and broad, with a 

 narrow deep groove extending nearly its entire length down the 

 center. The obverse is exquisitely chased in silver with three de- 

 signs ; one representing a quiver filled with arrows flanked by drums, 

 cannons, and flags; another showing a similar trophy flanked by 

 oak-leaf scrolls; and a third consisting of an oak-leaf scroll. The 

 reverse is decorated with similar designs and with the United States 

 coat of arms. The grip, which is 6-sided, is covered with silver 

 plates decorated with small floral scroll and wave designs, and three 

 of the sides bear small United States shields. The pommel is a 

 gilded medieval helmet surmounted by a plume. The quillons are 

 in the shape of a Maltese cross. The obverse of the one above the 

 blade is decorated with a design showing an eagle placing a laurel 

 spray upon a liberty cap flanked by spears, the whole above sprays 

 of palm leaves; the obverse below the blade is similarly decorated 

 but without the eagle. Between the upper and lower quillons is a 

 square shield bearing on the obverse the United States coat of arms 

 in a dark metal on a gilt background. The scabbard is finished with 

 gilt in high relief and bears on the obverse two oak-leaf designs, one 

 containing in the center the United States shield and the other a 

 plain shield inscribed " Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma." Between 

 the two is engraved the following inscription in five lines, " To 

 Brevet Lieut. Col. J. B. Magruder, 1st Artillery, U. S. Army, for 

 gallant conduct at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Molino del 

 Rey, Chapultepec, and the City of Mexico from his fellow citizens 

 of Caroline Co., Virginia." 



The recipient of this sword was born in Winchester, Va., in 1810, 

 and was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 

 1830. During the war with Mexico he commanded a light battery 

 and was bre vetted major for gallantry at Cerro Gordo, and lieu- 

 tenant colonel for his services at Cliapultepec, where he was severely 

 wounded. During the Civil War he served first as brigadier and later 

 as major general in the Confederate Army. He participated in the 

 engagements in Virginia at Big Bethel, Yorktown, and Malvern 



''- Length, 97 cm. Blade, 79 cm. long, 2.8 cm. wide. Marked "Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee, 

 Mass." PL 18, fig. 3. 



