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.

Designating Flag, 2nd Army Corps Headquarters

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with white trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. The number two, in red, appears in the center of the trefoil. White canvas hoist with a metal grommet at either end. Machine stitching on the flag panels.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with white trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. The number two, in red, appears in the center of the trefoil. White canvas hoist with a metal grommet at either end. Machine stitching on the flag panels. The applique (trefoil with red number) is hand-stitched. The inscription on the hoist reads "2ND ARMY/CORPS HEAD QUARTERS."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1876
ID Number
AF.25263A
catalog number
25263A
accession number
64127

Pair of Mexican Army epaulets

Pair of Mexican Army Engineer's epaulets from the period of the Mexican-American War. The two brass gilt epaulettes are decorated with a crossed sword, hatchet, and spade, and have a blue cloth backing. This object is part of the General Edward D.
Description (Brief)
Pair of Mexican Army Engineer's epaulets from the period of the Mexican-American War. The two brass gilt epaulettes are decorated with a crossed sword, hatchet, and spade, and have a blue cloth backing. This object is part of the General Edward D. Townsend Collection of relics of the War of 1812, Mexican War, and Civil War. Townsend was the principal executive officer of the War Department during the American Civil War.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1846 - 1848
ID Number
AF.18956
catalog number
18956
accession number
62555

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 21st Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design is red on top, white in middle, and blue on the bottom. On both the red and blue bands next to hoist is a cotton black five-point star applique with a white number "2" painted in each star.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design is red on top, white in middle, and blue on the bottom. On both the red and blue bands next to hoist is a cotton black five-point star applique with a white number "2" painted in each star. White cotton canvas hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Brg 2nd Div 21st Army Corps." The flag has machine-stitched flat-felled seams with hand-stitched edges.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25251H
catalog number
25251H
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white crescent in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; no grommets. Machine-stitched flat-felled seams done with tan cotton thread on blue fabric and off-white thread on white crescent.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white crescent in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; no grommets. Machine-stitched flat-felled seams done with tan cotton thread on blue fabric and off-white thread on white crescent. The center seam is poorly sewn and cut edge is exposed through the seam. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 2nd Div. 11 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242J
catalog number
25242J
accession number
64127

Bartholemew Diggins, Medal of Honor Recipient

Black and white photographic portrait of Medal of Honor recipient Bartholemew Diggins, wearing medal, for service during the Civil War.Diggins was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service during the Battle of Mobile Bay, 1864.On August 5, 1864, Rear Admiral David Farragut comma
Description
Black and white photographic portrait of Medal of Honor recipient Bartholemew Diggins, wearing medal, for service during the Civil War.
Diggins was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service during the Battle of Mobile Bay, 1864.
On August 5, 1864, Rear Admiral David Farragut commanded a Union fleet of fourteen wooden ships and four Monitors past Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay to attack the Confederate fleet positioned there. Farragut famously climbed the mast of the U.S.S. Hartford and had himself secured with ropes to better view the battle. Out of the Union Monitors, only the Tecumseh was lost in the Confederate minefield at the mouth of the bay. Once in position, Farragut’s ships engaged the Confederate flotilla and the formidable ironclad, C.S.S. Tennessee. Farragut was eventually successful in capturing the well-armored Tennessee and subsequently engaged Fort Gaines and Fort Powell through the month of August, eventually forcing Fort Morgan to surrender. The battle was considered an important Union victory, depriving the Confederacy of its last significant Gulf port east of Texas although the city of Mobile itself was not taken.
The inscription on reverse states that Diggins served on the U.S.S. Hartford, as late ordinary seaman in the U.S. Navy, and received a Medal of Honor for "gallant and meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy, he having been commended by name in the official report of the officer commanding the gun division in which he served on the U. S. S. Hartford, on the 5th of August, 1864, in the action against Fort Morgan and the enemy's vessels in Mobile Bay, having served with credit in all the engagements in which the Hartford participated during the years 1862, 1863 and 1864, and was four times wounded. Medal awarded Nov. 12, 1891."
Diggins was born in Ireland and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Official Citation:
DIGGINS, BARTHOLOMEW
Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1842, Baltimore, Md. Accredited to: Maryland. G.O. No.: 391, 12 November 1891. Citation: On board the flagship, U.S.S. Hartford, during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Diggins, as loader of a gun, remained steadfast at his post throughout the furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.
ID Number
AF.11778.09
accession number
51057
catalog number
11778.09

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 6th Army Corps

Physical Description:Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two blue diagonal stripes; the stripes run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail and cross at the fork in the swallowtail. A cotton white number "6" surmounts the blue stripes.
Description
Physical Description:
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two blue diagonal stripes; the stripes run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail and cross at the fork in the swallowtail. A cotton white number "6" surmounts the blue stripes. White cotton hoist with a metal grommet at either end. Hand-stitched. The inscription on the hoist reads "From/Wm.F. Scheible 6th Corps/Philada. Pa./Contract March 23, 1865/Qr. Master."
General Description:
Sixth Army Corps (18 May 1862 - 28 June 1865)
Originally the Greek cross was the corps emblem for the Sixth Army Corps. Early in 1864, the cross was shifted 45 degrees to create the St. Andrews cross in 1864 that was used until the end of the war.
Known as "The Fighting Sixth" and "the most famous corps in the Civil War", the Sixth Army Corps was created on May 18, 1862 and discontinued in June 1865. The Sixth Corps was commanded by Major General John Sedgwick, who was known as "Uncle John" to his men. General Sedgwick was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania. After the war, a member of his staff, Colonel James H. Platt, presented the headquarters flag of the Sixth Army Corps to the Association of Vermont Officers with the following letter:
"This flag should be especially dear and sacred to the old Vermont brigade, as it is the only one that our beloved Sedgwick ever used while he commanded the immortal 6th Corps. It was his headquarters battle flag. Always carried near his person in every action in which he commanded the corps, it will be recognized by every soldier of the Old Brigade at once, and must awaken in their hearts vivid memories of the numerous fields upon which, under its folds, they achieved so much of their imperishable renown. It will recall the noble Sedgwick, who loved them so well and was so well loved in return, who was at once the brave soldier, the able commander, the sincere friend; the best soldier and the noblest man it was ever our good fortune to serve under. It will also recall our brave comrades who sealed their devotion to their country by their heroic deaths upon the field of battle under its folds. I have regarded it as a precious and sacred relic; and, believing I had no right to retain it all to myself, have long contemplated presenting it to this association. I respectfully request my old comrades, through you, to accept it a valuable addition to their store of relics; that they will permit it to grace the hall at their annual reunions, and cherish it as a memento of our beloved Sedgwick and the old Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
contract date
1865-03-23
maker
William F. Scheible
ID Number
AF.25228X
catalog number
25228X
accession number
64127

William A. Hartman

A three-quarters portrait of William A. Hartman, depicted as Sergeant, Company F, 107th Engineers, 32nd Division. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, Sergeant Hartman has blond/brown hair, blue eyes and is smoking a cigarette.
Description
A three-quarters portrait of William A. Hartman, depicted as Sergeant, Company F, 107th Engineers, 32nd Division. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, Sergeant Hartman has blond/brown hair, blue eyes and is smoking a cigarette. He is wearing a brown tunic and is holding two cubes of "T N T," the wire used in fastening the explosive, and a spool of time-fuse. There is a pack on the front hanging from his neck. He is wearing the Distinguished Service Cross medal on his left chest. On his left shoulder patch, there is an red arrow with a red line in the middle indicating the 32nd Division. His hands are yellow most likely wearing gloves. The Sergeant's signature can be seen on the upper left portion of the portrait.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
maker
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58053M
catalog number
58053M
accession number
203612

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 5th Army Corps

Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Blue field with two diagonally crossed white stripes that run from either end of the hoist to the opposite end of the fly. The stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Blue field with two diagonally crossed white stripes that run from either end of the hoist to the opposite end of the fly. The stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. In the center of the flag, to the left of where the stripes cross, is a number "5" painted in red. The flag's hoist is white and does not have grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Ch'f Q. M. 5 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25266E
catalog number
25266E
accession number
64127

envelope

Envelope sent from Mrs. John Slingerland, 3852 Lurline Dr., Honolulu, to Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Haskell, 177 Ardmore Rd., Berkeley, California. Posted on December 8, 1941 at 2:00pm.
Description
Envelope sent from Mrs. John Slingerland, 3852 Lurline Dr., Honolulu, to Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Haskell, 177 Ardmore Rd., Berkeley, California. Posted on December 8, 1941 at 2:00pm. Envelope is an Air Mail enveloped ringed in red and blue stripes and has a green 20 cent United States Air Mail stamp with an airplane on it. Stamped across the stamp are the words "BUY DEFENSE SAVINGS BONDS AND STAMPS". Written in ink on the reverse of the envelope is "Came on first clipper after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu" and "1st" indicating that it is the first letter in a series of two that were sent.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941-12-08
ID Number
2015.0208.01.01
catalog number
2015.0208.01.01
accession number
2015.0208

George Washington's Uniform

Physical DescriptionThis blue wool coat is part of a suit of regimentals made for George Washington in 1789.
Description
Physical Description
This blue wool coat is part of a suit of regimentals made for George Washington in 1789. It has a buff wool rise-and-fall collar, buff cuffs and lapels, and buff lining; there is a row of yellow metal buttons on each lapel, as well as on each cuff.
The waistcoat and breeches are matching buff wool, with gilt buttons.
Specific History
This uniform consisting of coat, waistcoat, and knee breeches was initially donated to the Columbian Institute; in 1841, it was transferred to the National Institute and housed in the Patent Office. It came to the Smithsonian in 1883 from the Patent Office collection, and has been on display almost continuously. (From the years 1942 to 1944, during World War II, the Smithsonian packed up many of its treasured artifacts, including this uniform, and sent them to the Shenandoah Valley for safekeeping.)
This uniform was worn by George Washington from 1789 until his death in 1799; the small clothes, or breeches and waistcoat, date from the revolutionary period.
Washington often posed for life portraits during this period, and was often depicted wearing this uniform. An example is the watercolor portrait on ivory painted by John Ramage in 1789; it is the first known depiction of this uniform in a portrait of Washington.
In December 1798, Washington was recorded wearing this uniform when he visited Philadelphia on Provisional Army duty. He wore a similar uniform when he was commissioned by the Continental Congress as commander in chief of the Continental army.
None of his uniforms from the Revolutionary War period are known to have survived.
General History
When George Washington was an aide to General Edward Braddock he paid special attention to the way the British general maintained his rank and deportment. Washington believed that in order to command effectively, an officer must convey character and leadership through appearance as well as action. As the leader of the Continental army, Washington wanted these troops to present themselves as a professional military organization and a proper uniform was one way of showing a unified front. In commemoration of Washington’s attention to detail, the colors of blue and buff remained the accepted pattern for U.S. Army uniforms until the beginning of the Civil War.
Date made
1789
associated date
1780 - 1785
wearer
Washington, George
ID Number
AF.16148
accession number
13152
catalog number
16148

Confederate requisition form, June 30, 1864

This Confederate form, a requisition for stationery dated June 30, 1864, was prepared for Captain Roggen of Company F of the Army of the Confederate States of America.
Description
This Confederate form, a requisition for stationery dated June 30, 1864, was prepared for Captain Roggen of Company F of the Army of the Confederate States of America. It requested five quires [sets of sheets, 24 sheets per quire] of letter paper, five quires of foolscap paper, and fifteen quires of envelope paper. This sort of form, with the address in the field, could have been both printed and filled out in the field.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864-06-30
printer
Confederate States of America
ID Number
2007.0203.03
accession number
2007.0203
catalog number
2007.0203.03

George Washington's Battle Sword and Scabbard

Physical DescriptionHanger-type sword of forged steel with grooved blade. Grip of green-dyed ivory with silver strip decoration.
Description
Physical Description
Hanger-type sword of forged steel with grooved blade. Grip of green-dyed ivory with silver strip decoration. Leather scabbard with silver trim.
Specific History
George Washington wore this simple hanger as his battle sword while serving as commander of the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Made in Fishkill, New York, by John Bailey, an immigrant cutler from Sheffield, England, the sword has a slightly curved, grooved steel blade, silver-mounted cross guard and pommel, and a green ivory grip.
The sword was inherited by Washington’s nephew, Samuel T. Washington, an army captain. In his will, Washington admonished his nephew to draw the sword only "in self-defense or in the defense of [the] country and its rights.” Samuel's son donated the sword to the United States government in 1843.
Date made
ca 1765
date made
ca 1778
associated person
Washington, George
maker
Bailey, John
ID Number
AF.32010
catalog number
32010
accession number
68016

Declaration of Indenpendence in the Jefferson Memorial

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
referenced
Jefferson, Thomas
maker
Acme Photo
ID Number
2013.0327.1253
catalog number
2013.0327.1253
accession number
2013.0327

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 9th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white shield in the center of the flag. In the shield is a painted blue anchor surmounted by a painted red cannon. The anchor and cannon are crossed diagonally. Canvas hoist.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white shield in the center of the flag. In the shield is a painted blue anchor surmounted by a painted red cannon. The anchor and cannon are crossed diagonally. Canvas hoist. Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using cream thread. Inscription on the hoist reads "9th Army Corps Headquarters."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25239E
catalog number
25239E
accession number
64127

Spanish Flag

Physical DescriptionLarge yellow stripe with anchor and coat of arms.
Description
Physical Description
Large yellow stripe with anchor and coat of arms. Red stripes on either side of yellow.
Specific History
Spanish admiral’s flag captured by United States gunboat Petrel from the cruiser Isla de Luzon during the Battle of Manila Bay.
General History
The Battle of Manila Bay was one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War. On May 1, 1898, only days after war had been declared between Spain and the United States, the Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy under Commodore George Dewey engaged the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, Philippines. It was a complete and final victory, ending any threat from the Spanish naval forces involved. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage to American forces.
date made
ca 1898
ID Number
AF.58971-N
accession number
239310
catalog number
58971-N

Waistcoat worn by General George Washington

Collarless, buff wool waistcoat with a single row of fourteen metal buttons down the front, worn by General George Washington. Waistcoat is lined with linen, and has two front flap pockets, each with four buttons beneath flap.
Description
Collarless, buff wool waistcoat with a single row of fourteen metal buttons down the front, worn by General George Washington. Waistcoat is lined with linen, and has two front flap pockets, each with four buttons beneath flap. Although presented through the years as a uniform consisting of coat, waistcoat and breeches, the waistcoat and breeches are actually from an earlier uniform dating from the end of the Revolutionary War. The coat is slightly newer, dating from 1789
Date made
1775-1797
circa 1780
associated person
Washington, George
transfer
U.S. Patent Office
ID Number
AF.16149
accession number
13152
catalog number
16149

Soldiers sitting in Wrangler

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
ID Number
2016.0143.02
catalog number
2016.0143.02
accession number
2016.0143

Woman in uniform lining up around a buffet table

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
ID Number
2017.0309.0009
accession number
2017.0309
catalog number
2017.0309.0009

Remington Rolling Block Military Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
maker
Remington Arms Company, Inc.
ID Number
AF.217326
maker number
34
catalog number
217326

William Herren

A three-quarters portrait of William Herren depicted as First Sergeant. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, William Herren has brown hair and gray eyes. He is wearing a brown officers tunic.
Description
A three-quarters portrait of William Herren depicted as First Sergeant. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, William Herren has brown hair and gray eyes. He is wearing a brown officers tunic. There is two collar insignias, but the insignias are not detailed making it difficult to identify the insignia. He is seen holding a trench gas mask which according to the back of the painting, it is the Sergeant's "friend". He seems to have two military ribbons and one medal, but the painting of the ribbons and the medal is not very crisp. The two military ribbons might be Philippine Campaign and Mexican Border Service. The medal might be the Distinguished Service Cross, but it is brown. A beige band can be seen on the Sergeant's left hand possibly indicating a ring. The bottom portion of the portrait is not sketched or painted in great detail. The sergeant's signature can be seen on the upper left portion of the portrait.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
maker
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.37704
catalog number
37704
accession number
117218

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 16th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white circular cross in the center of the flag. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are curved to form a circle. Inside the cross is a red number "16". White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white circular cross in the center of the flag. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are curved to form a circle. Inside the cross is a red number "16". White hoist with no grommets. Stamped on the hoist is an inscription which reads "Headquarters 16 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25246A
catalog number
25246A
accession number
64127

At Charteves

A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of a shell torn church at Charteves. In the center of the sketch is a church which has been destroyed by shell fire.Currently not on view
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of a shell torn church at Charteves. In the center of the sketch is a church which has been destroyed by shell fire.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25943
catalog number
25943
accession number
64592

Bedroom of Marine Sgt. Thomas Gilbert

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2013-2014
maker
Gilbertson, Ashley
ID Number
2019.0011.0006
accession number
2019.0011
catalog number
2019.0011.0006

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three edges. In the center of the flag is a red Maltese cross. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Brg. 1st Div'n 5 Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three edges. In the center of the flag is a red Maltese cross. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Brg. 1st Div'n 5 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25236J
catalog number
25236J
accession number
64127

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