Military

Frank Brownell's Medal of Honor

The Museum's superb military collections document the history of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States. The collections include ordnance, firearms, and swords; uniforms and insignia; national and military flags and banners; and many other objects.

The strength of the collections lies in their enormous depth. Some 3,000 military small arms and 2,400 civilian firearms document the mechanical and technological history of the infantryman's weapons from the beginning of the gunpowder era to the present. Among the 4,000 swords and knives in the collection are many spectacular presentation pieces. The collections also include Civil War era telegraph equipment, home front artifacts from both world wars, early computers such as ENIAC, Whirlwind, and Sage, and materials carried at antiwar demonstrations.

Topic: World War I Art

At Ménil-la-Tour

Pencil and watercolor color sketch on paper. The work depicts the French village of Ménil-la-Tour during World War I. Soldiers, trucks, and horses populate the scene; a church steeple rises in the background.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and watercolor color sketch on paper. The work depicts the French village of Ménil-la-Tour during World War I. Soldiers, trucks, and horses populate the scene; a church steeple rises in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25916
catalog number
25916
accession number
64592

The Square, Pont-à-Mousson

Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a street scene, with people milling about and buildings on either side of the street.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a street scene, with people milling about and buildings on either side of the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25886
catalog number
25886
accession number
64592

No Man's Land, Near Thiaucourt

Charcoal sketch on paper of a road leading through shell-torn countryside. Denuded trees on either side of road. There are several forms lying on the road in the foreground--possibly soldiers or horses. Stark and lifeless.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of a road leading through shell-torn countryside. Denuded trees on either side of road. There are several forms lying on the road in the foreground--possibly soldiers or horses. Stark and lifeless.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25849
catalog number
25849
accession number
64592

A Billet at Rangeval

A pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper of a billet at Rangeval, France. The scene is of the top floor of a stable where the soldiers are quartered.
Description
A pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper of a billet at Rangeval, France. The scene is of the top floor of a stable where the soldiers are quartered. Several soldiers are at the far end of the loft.
An original label for the sketch read, "This shows the hay loft of a huge stable. The men arrange their bunks in the straw and along the wall. The great shell hole in the roof (the result of former fighting) admits light and air and especially rain. But those men whose beds are exposed to the elements have stretched their ponchos tent-fashion and are enjoying a sort of inside-out existence."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25907
catalog number
25907
accession number
64592

Square at Pont-a-Mousson

Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. American soldiers, mounted and on foot, move through the square of this small French town. An ambulance is in the right foreground. This scene was captured at the end of the First World War.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. American soldiers, mounted and on foot, move through the square of this small French town. An ambulance is in the right foreground. This scene was captured at the end of the First World War.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26051
catalog number
26051
accession number
64592

Untitled

Color crayon and charcoal sketch on paper. Village scene with buildings in background. On the left, a soldier leads horses out of a barnyard. Soldiers at mess on right.Currently not on view
Description
Color crayon and charcoal sketch on paper. Village scene with buildings in background. On the left, a soldier leads horses out of a barnyard. Soldiers at mess on right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25793
catalog number
25793
accession number
64592

Building Operations at Is-sur-Tille

Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. Buildings under construction at Is-sur-Tille, France during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. Buildings under construction at Is-sur-Tille, France during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25960
catalog number
25960
accession number
64592

A Lodging for the Night, 42nd Division

Pen and ink with touches of graphite. Horizontal landscape format; village scene. Church tower and hills in background. Vehicles and a line of horses in foreground. Several soldiers moving about.
Description
Pen and ink with touches of graphite. Horizontal landscape format; village scene. Church tower and hills in background. Vehicles and a line of horses in foreground. Several soldiers moving about. Sketch done on white wove paper that is mounted on tan card with decorative ruled graphite lines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25686
catalog number
25686
accession number
64592

A Regiment Stops for Mess

Pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper. In this scene from the First World War, a regiment of soldiers stops for mess at Pagny-sur-Meuse, France. A large group of soldiers is assembled outdoors of what appears to be a complex of farm buildings.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper. In this scene from the First World War, a regiment of soldiers stops for mess at Pagny-sur-Meuse, France. A large group of soldiers is assembled outdoors of what appears to be a complex of farm buildings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25915
catalog number
25915
accession number
64592

American Officer Mess in the Cellar

Graphite, charcoal, and ink wash sketch. Five officers sit around a table while another soldier serves them. The chair in the foreground is empty. On the table, a lamp illuminates the men's faces and casts shadows on the walls.
Description
Graphite, charcoal, and ink wash sketch. Five officers sit around a table while another soldier serves them. The chair in the foreground is empty. On the table, a lamp illuminates the men's faces and casts shadows on the walls. A box telephone and two bottles of wine are among the items on the table. The sketch is done on white wove paper mounted on beige card that is ruled with decorative graphite lines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25688
catalog number
25688
accession number
64592

A Street in Sanzey

Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige mounted. The work depicts a street in Sanzey, France during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige mounted. The work depicts a street in Sanzey, France during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25936
catalog number
25936
accession number
64592

A Battlefield on the Marne

Mixed media on paper. This landscape depicts a battlefield that was part of the Second Battle of the Marne during World War I. This conflict was a turning point in the war.
Description
Mixed media on paper. This landscape depicts a battlefield that was part of the Second Battle of the Marne during World War I. This conflict was a turning point in the war. On July 15-16, 1918, the 38th Regiment of the Third Infantry Division of the United States Army participated in a battle here. Two crosses marking graves in the left foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25946
catalog number
25946
accession number
64592

View of Chateau Thierry

Pen and ink wash sketch with touches of graphite. Hills and battleground in distance. In the foreground, houses are being shelled; smoke rises from the shell targets. Parachutists in sky at left.
Description
Pen and ink wash sketch with touches of graphite. Hills and battleground in distance. In the foreground, houses are being shelled; smoke rises from the shell targets. Parachutists in sky at left. The sketch is done on white wove paper mounted on tan card ruled with decorative lines. A printed label is attached to the mount beneath the sketch; it reads: "VIEW OF CHATEAU THIERRY/BY W. J. DUNCAN/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2862"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25704
catalog number
25704
accession number
64592

American Observation Post ... Near Verdun ... Handimont

Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.Currently not on view
Description
Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25802
catalog number
25802
accession number
64592

The Crossroads, Buzancy

Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background.
Description
Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background. The street is lined with business signs; an English one reads: "American Postal [illegible] Station." The other signs are in different languages.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25874
catalog number
25874
accession number
64592
64592

American Soldiers Billeted in Reception

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25803
catalog number
25803
accession number
64592

Courtyard in Echternach

Mixed media sketch on paper. Soldiers, horses, and wagons gathered in a courtyard in the town of Echternach, Luxembourg. Many of the soldiers are under a temporary structure on the left.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. Soldiers, horses, and wagons gathered in a courtyard in the town of Echternach, Luxembourg. Many of the soldiers are under a temporary structure on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25964
catalog number
25964
accession number
64592

Making Nets and Camouflage Material

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end. There is a label attached to the bottom center of the sketch that reads: "MAKING NETS AND CAMOUFLAGE MATERIAL/Central Camouflage Depot at Dijon/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/3004."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25846
catalog number
25846
accession number
64592

A Battery of French 75's

Charcoal with brush and ink wash. Horizontal landscape format. Several buildings and trees in background; four pieces of field artillery going into action. Soldiers standing at each canon. Pile of shot on the ground in the left of the sketch.
Description
Charcoal with brush and ink wash. Horizontal landscape format. Several buildings and trees in background; four pieces of field artillery going into action. Soldiers standing at each canon. Pile of shot on the ground in the left of the sketch. Sketch done on white wove paper mounted on beige card with decorative ruled lines in graphite on the mount.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25685
catalog number
25685
accession number
64592

Exploded Boche Dump at Cierges

Charcoal, crayon, and pastel drawing on heavy textured laid paper. The work depicts a destroyed German army dump at Cierges, France during World War I.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, and pastel drawing on heavy textured laid paper. The work depicts a destroyed German army dump at Cierges, France during World War I. In the center of the drawing is a large crater in the ground surrounded by vehicle parts, trees, ammunition shells, and other debris. Several deceased German soldiers are lying in the foreground. Damaged buildings are visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25756
catalog number
25756
accession number
64592

Boppard on the Rhine in the American Sector

Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25811
catalog number
25811
accession number
64592

The G. C. at Dawn, Badonviller

Charcoal sketch on paper of a lone soldier standing watch in a trench. The soldier has his knife drawn. Trees in the background.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of a lone soldier standing watch in a trench. The soldier has his knife drawn. Trees in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25786
catalog number
25786
accession number
64592

In the Church at Beaumont

Mixed media sketch on paper. The sketch shows two American soldiers sitting in the open air in what was the interior of a church in France during World War I. The only surviving part of the church that is visible is the front wall.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. The sketch shows two American soldiers sitting in the open air in what was the interior of a church in France during World War I. The only surviving part of the church that is visible is the front wall. There are large piles of debris throughout the sketch, and one of the soldiers is sitting on a pile of rubble.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26007
catalog number
26007
accession number
64592

In the Valley of the Haute-Marne

Watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows a village bordered by a canal in Haute-Marne, France during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows a village bordered by a canal in Haute-Marne, France during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-03-27
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26003
catalog number
26003
accession number
64592

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