French soldier of the sixteenth century

French soldier of the sixteenth century

French soldier of the sixteenth century

George Washington's sword and belt

George Washington's Sword

George Washington's sword and belt

Roman god of fire

Vulcan

Roman god of fire

Roman god of fire

Vulcan

Roman god of fire

Saxon military costume

Saxon Military Costume

Saxon military costume

Saxon military costume

Saxon Military Costume

Saxon military costume

English regalia

English regalia

English regalia

The swordfish is found in every part of the Mediterranean Sea. Its "sword" is an elongation of the upper jaw, of great strength.

Swordfish

The swordfish is found in every part of the Mediterranean Sea. Its "sword" is an elongation of the upper…

The body of the crocodile is covered with thick horny scales, so strong that they can resist the blow of a sword or the thrust of a spear, (Wood, 1896).

Crocodile

The body of the crocodile is covered with thick horny scales, so strong that they can resist the blow…

Servant kneels before king.

King

Servant kneels before king.

Prince with sword

Prince

Prince with sword

Rich man with sword

Rich man

Rich man with sword

Battle between Confederate and Union forces at Sudley Church.

Sherman's Brigade at Sudley Church

Battle between Confederate and Union forces at Sudley Church.

Confederate and Union forces clash at Lookout Mountain.

Battle of Lookout Mountain

Confederate and Union forces clash at Lookout Mountain.

Othello draws his sword to fall on it.

Othello

Othello draws his sword to fall on it.

Pirate carving name into a tree trunk.

Pirates

Pirate carving name into a tree trunk.

Justice

Justice

Justice

Knight wearing Allecret armor

Allecret armor

Knight wearing Allecret armor

Horseshoe crabs represent an order called Xiphosura, from the fact that the end of the abdomen is furnished with a long sword-like spine.

Horseshoe Crab

Horseshoe crabs represent an order called Xiphosura, from the fact that the end of the abdomen is furnished…

Tail of fish. (a) homocercal tail (Sword fish)

fish tail

Tail of fish. (a) homocercal tail (Sword fish)

King Arthur draws the sword from the stone.

King Arthur

King Arthur draws the sword from the stone.

Arthur is about to be slain by the great Knight Pellinore but as he raises his sword against Arthur, Merlin enchants Pellinore into a deep sleep. The magician then caught up the king and rode forth on the knight's horse saving him from danger.

Merlin Saves Arthur

Arthur is about to be slain by the great Knight Pellinore but as he raises his sword against Arthur,…

Sculpture of David wielding a sword.

David

Sculpture of David wielding a sword.

Genghis Khan wielding a shield and sword.

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan wielding a shield and sword.

"Battle of Carrick's Ford, Western Virginia- discovery of the body of General Garnett, by Major Gordon and Colonel Dumont, after the battle. After the Confederates had crossed the fourth ford General Garnett again endeavored to rally his men, standing waving his hand on an exposed point near the river bank, by his side only one young man (Chaplet), wearing the uniform of the Georgia Sharpshooters. Three of Dumont's men fired at the same time, and Garnett and his companion fell at the first round. The men rushed across, and on turning the body discovered that the Confederate leader of Western Virginia had paid the penalty; he was shot through the heart. Major Gordon, U.S.A., closed his eyes reverently, and Colonel Dumont, coming up, had him carried into a grove close by, where they laid him down, taking care of his sword and watch, to be sent with his body to his family." —Leslie, 1896

Battle of Corrick's Ford

"Battle of Carrick's Ford, Western Virginia- discovery of the body of General Garnett, by Major Gordon…

"Battle of New Berne- Lieutenant Hammond capturing Colonel Avery, of South Carolina, while he was endeavoring to rally the flying Confederates. Our illustration represents the moment when Lieutenant Hammond, of the gunboat <em>Hetzel</em>, who served one of the guns of McCook's naval battery at the battle of New Berne, hearing that a Confederate colonel was, flag in hand, endeavoring to rally a South Carolina regiment, resolved to capture him. Riding up to the Confederate, the gallant Hammond, pointing his pistol at his head, demanded his surrender. A glance at the flying Confederates convinced the colonel that the day was lost, and he gave up his sword to the lieutenant. Two flags were also taken- one made of blue and white silk, elegantly fringed, with this inscription, 'Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,' with 'Victory or death.' The name of the Confederate officer taken was Colonel Avery; three hundred of his regiment were also captured at the same time."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Battle of New Berne

"Battle of New Berne- Lieutenant Hammond capturing Colonel Avery, of South Carolina, while he was endeavoring…

"Butchering and dressing cattle for distribution to the Federal Army. The romance and reality of life were never so strikingly displayed as in the Civil War. Fact and fiction never seemed more apart than the soldier waving his sword when leading the forlorn hope and when sitting before his tent cooking rations; for, despite all the commissariat arrangements, there was much room for improvement in these particulars. We give a couple of sketches which will enable our readers to see how matter-of-fact and mechanically base were some of the soldier's employments when in camp. Men who would shrink from turning butcher in New York, boston or Philadelphia were forced by the resistless tide of circumstances to lend a hand to the killing a beeve and afterward to the dressing and cooking it."&mdash; Frank Leslie, 1896

Butchering Cattle

"Butchering and dressing cattle for distribution to the Federal Army. The romance and reality of life…

"Desperate hand-to-hand combat between Federal cavalry, commanded by General Averill and the daring Confederate general Fitzhugh Lee belong the chief honors of this brilliant affair. Once across the river, a regular cavalry and artillery fight took place between General Averill's command and the Confederate forces under the command of Generals Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee; and for once during the war there was a fair cavalry fight.  The forces opposed to each other were about equal in numbers and similarly appointed and equipped. The Confederates, made desperate by the advance of Federal troops across the Rappahannock and upon soil which they had sworn to defend with the last drop of their blood, disputed every rood of ground. Again and again they charged on the Federal lines, formed <em>en echelon</em>, and as often were they repulsed in the most gallant manner. When the Federals charged upon the enemy's lines it was done with such impetuosity that successful resistance was impossible. Sword in hand they dashed upon the foe, who, after attempting to stand up against the first charges, doggedly retired before them. The object of the expedition having been accomplished, General Averill retired to the left bank of the river without molestation from the enemy."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Hand-to-hand Combat

"Desperate hand-to-hand combat between Federal cavalry, commanded by General Averill and the daring…

"Farragut's naval victory in Mobile Harbor. The <em>Hartford</em> engaging the Confederate ram <em>Tennessee</em>. Official report of the engagement: 'The engagement with the enemy's fleet took place on the west side of Mobile Bay, in the direction of Fort Powell, and out of range of the guns of Fort Morgan. The <em>Tennessee</em> boldly steamed in the direction of our fleet, as if for the purpose of running down and destroying the wooden vessels, without paying attention to the monitors, except to keep out of their way; but they persevered in following her and cutting her off, when her whole attention was forced to be directed to them. The fighting did not last long between them, however, for the flagship and the <em>Monongahela</em> steamed in the direction of the <em>Tennessee</em>, the <em>Monongahela</em> striking her amidships with her terrible prow, causing the huge Confederate monster to reel like a drunken man. The <em>Hartford</em> then grappled the <em>Tennessee</em>, but further bloodshed was saved by the latter hoisting the white flag from the pilot-house. Captain Pierre Giraud led the party who boarded the ram, and the Confederate Admiral Buchanana delivered up his sword to him.'"— Frank Leslie, 1896

Mobile Harbor

"Farragut's naval victory in Mobile Harbor. The Hartford engaging the Confederate ram Tennessee.…

Gulliver draws his sword to defend himself against a giant rat in Brobdngnag.

Gulliver with Large Rat

Gulliver draws his sword to defend himself against a giant rat in Brobdngnag.

A Brobdingnag soldier on his horse, glancing down Gulliver in his tiny size.

Soldier on horse

A Brobdingnag soldier on his horse, glancing down Gulliver in his tiny size.

"The ('Billy') Wilson Zouaves, at Tammany Hall, taking the oath of fidelity to the flag, April 24th, 1861. Colonel Wilson was among the first to offer his services to the government on the breaking out of the war. He recruited a regiment of nearly twelve hundred men from the rowdy and criminal classes of New York City. The regiment was formally mustered in the old Tammany Hall, and there, on April 24th, with the men arranged around the room, with the officers in the centre, the colonel, with a sword in one hand and the American flag in the other, led the men into swearing to 'support the flag and never to flinch from its path through blood or death.' The Zouaves, a few days afterward, left for the South."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Billy Wilson Zouaves

"The ('Billy') Wilson Zouaves, at Tammany Hall, taking the oath of fidelity to the flag, April 24th,…

"The encounter between Tarleton and Colonel Washington."&mdash;E. Benjamin Andrews, 1895

Tarleton encounter

"The encounter between Tarleton and Colonel Washington."—E. Benjamin Andrews, 1895

Medal struck in honor of General Gates and his army. On the reverse side, Burgoyne is represented in the attitude of delivering up his sword; and in the background, on either side of them, are seen the two armies of England and America, the former laying down their arms. At the top is the latin enscription, <em>Salus Regionum Septentrional</em>; literal English, <em>Safety of the northern region or department</em>. Below is the inscription, <em>Hoste ad Saratogum in Dedition, Accepto Die XVII. Oct., MDCCLXXVII</em>; English, <em>Enemy at Saratoga surrendered October 17th, 1777.</em>

Gates Medal

Medal struck in honor of General Gates and his army. On the reverse side, Burgoyne is represented in…

Wolfe's Monument. Since 1848, the remains of this monument have been removed, and a column forty feet high, surmounted by a bronze helmet and sword, has been erected. The monument is from the design of Sir James Alexander.

Wolfe's Monument

Wolfe's Monument. Since 1848, the remains of this monument have been removed, and a column forty feet…

"Reverse of a Massachusetts Treasury note. This is a fac simile of the device on the back of one of the first of the Massachusetts treasury notes or bills of credit. The literal translation of the Latin inscription is 'He seeks by the sword calm repose under the auspices of Freedom.' In othe words, to use a phrase of the present time, they were determined 'to conquer a peace.' The face of the bill has a neatly-engraved border of scroll-work; and on the left of the brace where the names of the committee are signed, is a circle with a ship within it."—Lossing, 1851

Treasury Note

"Reverse of a Massachusetts Treasury note. This is a fac simile of the device on the back of one of…

"Society of the Cincinnati, member's certificate. This engraving is a fac simile of a certificate, about one fourth the size of the original, which is thirteen inches and a half in breadth, and twenty inches in length. The originals are printed on fine vellum. The plate was engraved in France by J. J. le Veau, from a drawing by Aug. le Belle. I am indebted to the late James G. Wilson, son of Ensign Wilson, named in the certificate, for the use of the orginal in making this copy. The former was engraved on copper; this is engraved on wood. The design represents American liberty as a strong man armed, bearing in one hand the Union flag, and in the other a naked sword. Beneath his feet are British flags, and a broken spear, shield, and chain. Hovering by his side is the eagle, our national emblem, from whose talons the lightning of destruction is flashing upon the British lion. Britannia, with the crown falling from her head, is hastening toward a boat to escape to a fleet, which denotes the departure of British power from our shore. Upon a cloud, on the right, is an angel blowing a trumpet, from which flutters a loose scroll."&mdash;Lossing, 1851

Society of the Cincinnati

"Society of the Cincinnati, member's certificate. This engraving is a fac simile of a certificate, about…

"Medal awarded to Lieutenant-colonel De Fleury. This is a representation of the medal, the size of the original. The device is a helmeted soldier, standing against the ruins of a fort. His right hand is extended, holding a sword upright; the staff of a stand of colors is grasped by his left; the colors are under his feet, and he is trampling upon them. The legend is, 'Virtutis et audacle monum et premium. D. D. Fleury equiti gallo primo muros resp. Americ. D. D.;' 'A memorial and reward of valor and daring. The American Republic has bestowed (this medal) on Colonel D. de Fleury, a native of France, the first over the walls (of the enemy).'"&mdash;Lossing, 1851

De Fleury Medal Front

"Medal awarded to Lieutenant-colonel De Fleury. This is a representation of the medal, the size of the…

"Two to four feet long, of a shiny silvery color; called <em>ribbon-fish</em> on our coast, and <em>sword-fish</em> of Jamaica." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Silvery Hairtail

"Two to four feet long, of a shiny silvery color; called ribbon-fish on our coast, and sword-fish

"Or butter-fish, so called on account of the mucous secretion with which its sides are covered; it is ten inches long, and has a long, sword-shaped body; it is found in pools left by the tide, and occasionally under stones or sea-weed, common in Europe." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Spotted Gunnel

"Or butter-fish, so called on account of the mucous secretion with which its sides are covered; it is…

"Gold medal awarded to Morgan. The following are the devices and inscriptions upon the front of the medal: An Indian queen with a quiver on her back, in the act of crowning an officer with a laurel wreath; his band resting upon his sword. A cannon lying upon the ground; various military weapons and implements in the back-ground. Legend: Daniel Morgan Duci Exercitus Comitia Americana- 'The American Congress to General Daniel Morgan.'"&mdash;Lossing, 1851

Morgan Medal Front

"Gold medal awarded to Morgan. The following are the devices and inscriptions upon the front of the…

"Silver medal awarded to Colonel Howard. The following are the device and inscriptions upon the front: An officer mounted, with uplifted sword, pursuing an officer on foot bearing a stand of colors. Victory is seen descending in front, over the former, holding a wreath in her right hand over his head. In her left hand is a palm branch. Legend: John Eager Howard, Legionis Peditum Pr&aelig;fecto Comitia Americana- 'The American Congress to John Eager Howard, commander of a regiment of infantry.'"&mdash;Lossing, 1851

Howard Medal Front

"Silver medal awarded to Colonel Howard. The following are the device and inscriptions upon the front:…

"Catapult from the Roman military system. The Roman army was divided into legions, each of which contained about 6,000 men, although at first the number was much smaller. Each legion was in turn subdivided into ten cohorts. Besides the legionary soldiers, the army comprised bodies of auxiliar troops from the provinces or the allies of Rome. The common weapons were the pilum, or javelin, and a short sword, but slings and bows were also used."&mdash;Colby, 1899

Catapult

"Catapult from the Roman military system. The Roman army was divided into legions, each of which contained…

"William the Conqueror (1066-1087), as represented on his seal. Although William really ruled 'as king by the edge of the sword,' he preferred to base his title on the promise of Edward the Confessor rather than on force of arms; and he adhered to far as possible to Anglo-Saxon usages, causing himself to be crowned at Westminster and binding himself to frame good laws and observe justice, as his predecessors had done. In fact he professed to regard himself as the lawful successor of the Anglo-Saxon kings, and not merely as a feudal conqueror. He had great difficulty in making the people recognize him as such, but when this was once done, he was a far more powerful ruler as king of England than he was as Norman duke."&mdash;Colby, 1899

William the Conqueror

"William the Conqueror (1066-1087), as represented on his seal. Although William really ruled 'as king…

"Aphaniptera includes the fleas, which, despite their minuteness, have made themselves a name in the world. The arterial covering is a horny compound of very distinct segmentsl the wings are four, but nearly rudimentary; the suctional organs consist of a pair of fine, serrated, sword-shaped mandibles, provided with a sharp, needle-like spear for penetrating the skin of the victim." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Flea

"Aphaniptera includes the fleas, which, despite their minuteness, have made themselves a name in the…

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the American troops. The blade is about 18 inches in length by nearly 3 inches in breadth at its broadest dimension. It tapers from the middle toward the haft as well as toward the point, making it strongly resemble the ancient short sword. It is not double edged, however, but tapers from a thick back to an extremely keen edge. In April 1904, the United States troops operating in the Philippines, were supplied with bolos."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Filipino Bolo

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the…

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the American troops. The blade is about 18 inches in length by nearly 3 inches in breadth at its broadest dimension. It tapers from the middle toward the haft as well as toward the point, making it strongly resemble the ancient short sword. It is not double edged, however, but tapers from a thick back to an extremely keen edge. In April 1904, the United States troops operating in the Philippines, were supplied with bolos."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Filipino Bolo Sheath

"A Bolo is a short, broad, lance-shaped weapon; used by the Filiinos in their operations against the…

"Complete Armor of 1195-1205."-Whitney, 1902

Armor

"Complete Armor of 1195-1205."-Whitney, 1902

"Armor and Equipment for man and horse, about 1290."-Whitney, 1902

Armor

"Armor and Equipment for man and horse, about 1290."-Whitney, 1902

"Complete Armor, about 1395"-Whitney, 1902

Armor

"Complete Armor, about 1395"-Whitney, 1902

"Complete suit of Plate-Armor, now in Paris, date about 1440- the epoch of greatest perfection of defensive arms."-Whitney, 1902

Armor

"Complete suit of Plate-Armor, now in Paris, date about 1440- the epoch of greatest perfection of defensive…

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Cadmus and the Dragon

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" — The Delphian Society, 1913

"A Persian sword, whence Horace speaks of the <em>Medus acinaces.</em> The acinaces was a short and straight weapon; and thus differed from the Roman <em>sica,</em> which was curved. It was worn on the right side of the body, whereas the Greeks and Romans usually had their swords suspended on the left side. The form of the acinaces, with the mode of wearing it, is illustrated by the by the following Persepolitan figures." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Acinaces

"A Persian sword, whence Horace speaks of the Medus acinaces. The acinaces was a short and…

Women playing a lyre.

Greek border

Women playing a lyre.

"Homer describes in various passages an entire suit of armour, and we observe that it consisted of the same portions which were used by the Greek soldiers ever after. Moreover, the order of putting them on is always the same. The heavy-armed warrior, having already a tunic around his body, and preparing for combat, puts on-1. his greaves; 2. his cuirass; 3. his sword, hung on the left side of his body by means of a belt which passed over the right shoulder; 4. the large round shield, supported in the same manner; 5. his helmet; 6. he took his spear." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Arma

"Homer describes in various passages an entire suit of armour, and we observe that it consisted of the…

"Homer describes in various passages an entire suit of armour, and we observe that it consisted of the same portions which were used by the Greek soldiers ever after. Moreover, the order of putting them on is always the same. The heavy-armed warrior, having already a tunic around his body, and preparing for combat, puts on-1. his greaves; 2. his cuirass; 3. his sword, hung on the left side of his body by means of a belt which passed over the right shoulder; 4. the large round shield, supported in the same manner; 5. his helmet; 6. he took his spear." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Arma

"Homer describes in various passages an entire suit of armour, and we observe that it consisted of the…

Sword and constitution

Sword and Constitution

Sword and constitution

"Swordfish is a popular name for any individual of the Xiphiid&aelig;. They are pelagic fishes, widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical seas, and are extremely strong and swift. Their popular name is derived from their formidable sword-like weapon, formed by the coalescence and prolongation of the maxillary and intermaxillary bones beyond the lower jaw; it is very hard and strong, and capable of inflicting terrible wounds."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Swordfish

"Swordfish is a popular name for any individual of the Xiphiidæ. They are pelagic fishes, widely…

Sword-hilt and girdle used in the Gallic War.

Gallic Sword-hilt and Girdle

Sword-hilt and girdle used in the Gallic War.

Roman Sword or gladii. In sheath decorated with carvings.

Roman Sword

Roman Sword or gladii. In sheath decorated with carvings.