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.

Resource Type: Prints

Soviet poster, Making Hand Grenades

During World War II, after the breakdown of the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact, the Soviet news agency TASS issued a series of propaganda posters. Topics included anti-Nazi caricatures and Socialist Realist art encouraging the war effort.
Description
During World War II, after the breakdown of the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact, the Soviet news agency TASS issued a series of propaganda posters. Topics included anti-Nazi caricatures and Socialist Realist art encouraging the war effort. Beginning in June 1941, the Union of Soviet Artists established a publishing collective to produce the posters on an almost daily basis. Because they were displayed in the windows of the news agency's Moscow office, they are known as TASS window posters. It is estimated that about 1,500 different posters were produced between 1941 and 1945.
Well-known artists and poets worked on the designs and captions, and most of the posters were produced in limited editions using the stencil process for both graphics and text. Many posters were completed and reproduced within 24 hours, making them very responsive to political issues and war news. Copies were distributed abroad by VOKS, the Soviet Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries. Their messages helped present the USSR favorably to its new allies, including the U.S. The Museum has six of these posters received in 1943 through VOKS. Other collections outside Russia include the University of Nottingham in England and Columbia and Cornell universities in the U.S.
TASS window poster No. 512 shows a man and a woman making hand grenades. In vivid Socialist Realist style, the poster both encourages and supports the war effort.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1942-1943
1942
artist attribution
Vyalov, Konstantin Aleksandrovich
author
Mashistzov, A.
ID Number
GA.18849
accession number
164567
catalog number
18849

Crimean Heroes from Life

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1857-1858
date made
1856-1857
printer
Pretsch, Paul
ID Number
GA.03386
catalog number
03386
accession number
23155

Soviet poster, Making Shells

During World War II, after the breakdown of the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact, the Soviet news agency TASS issued a series of propaganda posters. Topics included anti-Nazi caricatures and Socialist Realist art encouraging the war effort.
Description
During World War II, after the breakdown of the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact, the Soviet news agency TASS issued a series of propaganda posters. Topics included anti-Nazi caricatures and Socialist Realist art encouraging the war effort. Beginning in June 1941, the Union of Soviet Artists established a publishing collective to produce the posters on an almost daily basis. Because they were displayed in the windows of the news agency's Moscow office, they are known as TASS window posters. It is estimated that about 1,500 different posters were produced between 1941 and 1945.
Well-known artists and poets worked on the designs and captions, and most of the posters were produced in limited editions using the stencil process for both graphics and text. Many posters were completed and reproduced within 24 hours, making them very responsive to political issues and war news. Copies were distributed abroad by VOKS, the Soviet Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries. Their messages helped present the USSR favorably to its new allies, including the U.S. The Museum has six of these posters received in 1943 through VOKS. Other collections outside Russia include the University of Nottingham in England and Columbia and Cornell universities in the U.S.
TASS window poster No. 693 shows a male Soviet worker in vivid Socialist Realist style. An image of calendar pages behind him encourages increased production of shells for the war effort.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1942-1943
ID Number
GA.19083.02
accession number
167088
catalog number
19083.02

General Oliver Otis Howard

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
depicted (sitter)
Howard, Oliver Otis
maker
Halpin, Frederick W.
ID Number
PG.66.23.08
catalog number
66.23.08
accession number
263090

Brevet Lieutenant General Winfield Scott

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
depicted (sitter)
Scott, Winfield
ID Number
PG.66.23.09
catalog number
66.23.09
accession number
263090

Defeat of the British Army ... Edward Packenham ... January 8th 1815 ... New Orleans ...,nd

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Date
1815 01 08
ID Number
AF.67316M
catalog number
67316M
accession number
241874

Battle of Gettysburg Lithograph

Physical DescriptionLithographic print.General HistoryThe Battle of Gettysburg was a critical turning point in the American Civil War. During the first three days of July 1863, over 172,000 men and 634 cannons were positioned in an area encompassing 25 square miles.
Description
Physical Description
Lithographic print.
General History
The Battle of Gettysburg was a critical turning point in the American Civil War. During the first three days of July 1863, over 172,000 men and 634 cannons were positioned in an area encompassing 25 square miles. An estimated 569 tons of ammunition were expended and, when the battle had ended, the losses topped 51,000 in dead and wounded soldiers on both sides. While the Confederate army retreated after Gettysburg, the war would drag on another two years. It would be the most costly battle ever fought on U.S. soil. The battle was commemorated by Abraham Lincoln’s legendary address. Lincoln stated: “Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who died here that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have hallowed it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” The world has remembered both the battle and Lincoln’s eloquent words.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.65353M
accession number
226765
catalog number
65353M

Battle of Five Forks, Va.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1886
copyright date
1886
associated date
1865 04 01
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.58119M
catalog number
58119M
accession number
204114

Chromolithograph of bird species "Euphonia Rufiventris adult male and Chlorophonia Occipitalis adulte male"

Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this pre-press chromolithographic proof of "Euphonia refiventis [Vieill] adult male and Chlorophonia occipitalis [Du Bus] adult male," now "Euphonia rufiventris" (Rufous-bellied eupohina) and "Chlorophonia occipitalis" (Blue
Description (Brief)
Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this pre-press chromolithographic proof of "Euphonia refiventis [Vieill] adult male and Chlorophonia occipitalis [Du Bus] adult male," now "Euphonia rufiventris" (Rufous-bellied eupohina) and "Chlorophonia occipitalis" (Blue-crowned chlorophonia), from an original illustration by William Dreser (ca 1820, fl. 1849-1860). The image was published as Plate XX in Volume 2, following page 182 of Appendix F (Zoology-Birds) by John Cassin (1813-1869) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1855
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
original artist
Dreser, William
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
author
Cassin, John
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2008.0175.06
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.06

Fall of Petersburg

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1893
associated date
1863 04 02
copyright date
1893
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.58134M
catalog number
58134M
accession number
204114

Lithograph of bird species "Ericornis Melanura and Scytalopus Fuscus"

Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Ericornis melanura [Gray] adult and Scytalopus fuscus [Gould],” now "Chilia melanura" (Crag chilia), and "Scytalopus fuscus" (Dusky tapaculo), from an original illustration by William Dreser
Description (Brief)
Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Ericornis melanura [Gray] adult and Scytalopus fuscus [Gould],” now "Chilia melanura" (Crag chilia), and "Scytalopus fuscus" (Dusky tapaculo), from an original illustration by William Dreser (ca 1820, fl. 1849-1860). The image was published as Plate XXI in Volume 2, following page 188 of Appendix F (Zoology-Birds) by John Cassin (1813-1869) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1855
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
original artist
Dreser, William
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
author
Cassin, John
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2008.0175.05
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.05

Battle of Antietam Lithograph

Physical DescriptionLithographic print.General HistoryGeneral Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North culminated in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.
Description
Physical Description
Lithographic print.
General History
General Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North culminated in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. More soldiers were killed or wounded at Antietam than all the American dead in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Spanish-American War combined. On September 17, 1862, General Robert E. Lee and 30,000 Confederate troops faced Major General George McClellan and 60,000 Union troops. It should have been a clear victory for McClellan, especially since his army had captured Lee’s Special Order No. 191 which directed Stonewall Jackson to march on Harpers Ferry. McClellan failed to use this information wisely, choosing instead to remain cautious. Jackson took Harpers Ferry and moved his 45,000 troops on to Antietam to reinforce Lee’s troops. McClellan was recalled to Washington and was relieved of his command.
date made
1888
copyright date
1888
associated date
1862 09 17
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.58125
accession number
204114
catalog number
58125

Battle of Franklin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1891
associated date
1864 11 30
copyright date
1891
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.58142M
catalog number
58142M
accession number
204114

Battle of Opequan or Winchester, Va.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1893
associated date
1864 09 19
copyright date
1893
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.58120M
catalog number
58120M
accession number
204114

Capture of Fort Fisher

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
associated date
1865 01 15
copyright date
1890
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.58133M
catalog number
58133M
accession number
204114

Siege of Vicksburg Lithograph

Physical DescriptionLithographic print.General HistoryBoth the North and the South saw Vicksburg as the lynchpin to victory in the war. President Abraham Lincoln said: "Vicksburg is the key.
Description
Physical Description
Lithographic print.
General History
Both the North and the South saw Vicksburg as the lynchpin to victory in the war. President Abraham Lincoln said: "Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until the key is in our pocket," Confederate President Jefferson Davis said: "Vicksburg is the nail head that holds the South's two halves together." On May 22, 1863, Ulysses Grant sent brigades from three corps of the army to assault the city. While the assault showed some success, a long bitter struggle ensued and the Confederates quickly restored their original lines of defense. The Union army suffered 3,199 casualties, while the Confederates lost less than 500 men. Realizing that the city could not be taken by assault, Grant ordered his engineers to begin siege operations. The siege cut off all supplies going into the city and the constant hammering of siege artillery drove many of the citizens into caves dug into the hillsides. The siege finally ended when on July 4, 1863, General John Pemberton surrendered the town to Grant, thus sealing the fate of the Confederate States of America.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1888
copyright date
1888
maker
Kurz & Allison-Art Studio
ID Number
AF.58143M
accession number
204114
catalog number
58143M

Lithograph of bird species "Chrysomitris Marginalis"

Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Chrysomitris marginalis [Bonaparte] male and female" (common name: Black-chinned Siskin) after an original illustration by William Dreser (b. 1820, fl. 1849-1860).
Description (Brief)
Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Chrysomitris marginalis [Bonaparte] male and female" (common name: Black-chinned Siskin) after an original illustration by William Dreser (b. 1820, fl. 1849-1860). The image was published as Plate XVII in Volume 2, following page 180 of Appendix F (Zoology-Birds) by John Cassin (1813-1869) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Description
Thomas Sinclair (c.1805–1881) of Philadelphia printed this lithograph of “Chrysomitris Marginalis [Bonaparte] male and female," now "Carduelis barbata" or Black-chinned siskin, from an original sketch by William Dreser (c.1820–after 1860) of Philadelphia (1847–1860) and New York (1860). The illustration was published in 1855 by A.O.P. Nicholson in Washington, D.C. as Plate XVII in the “Birds” section of volume II of The United States Naval Astronomical Survey to the Southern Hemisphere, written by John Cassin (1813–1869).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
Dreser, William
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
author
Cassin, John
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2008.0175.03
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.03

Freedom to the Slave

Chromolithograph print titled "Freedom to the Slave" published by the Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to encourage African American men to enlist in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Description
Chromolithograph print titled "Freedom to the Slave" published by the Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to encourage African American men to enlist in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The print depicts a African American man dressed in the uniform of a United States Army Artillery officer holding a sword in his right hand and in his left hand, a United States flag surmounted with a red liberty cap and thin swallow-tail flag reading "Freedom to the Slave." The man is standing on a Confederate national flag with a snake on its blue field which is being torn by a shirtless African American man who appears to have been freed from the broken shackles at his feet. Behind him, an African American man in Union Army uniform is freeing a shirtless man and woman from similar shackles while they rejoice. Further behind, a long line of African American soldiers marches in formation to the right under a United States national flag. To the left of the soldier in the center of the illustration, a respectably-dressed African American man is reading a newspaper while seated in a chair near a plow with a girl in a dress at his feet. Behind him, a group of African Americans enter a building with Public School written above its entrance and an American flag flying above, with a steeple behind it. The reverse of this dramatic illustration is a recruiting poster. From its reference to emancipation, and the phrase urging “colored men” to come “to the nearest United States Camp,” suggests this handbill may have been circulated by Union troops in the South.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863-1864
ID Number
1978.0010.11
accession number
1978.0010
catalog number
1978.0010.11
85358M

Illustration of soldier in the French Zouaves, 55th New York Volunteers

Illustration of a man wearing a zouave-style uniform and holding a rifle. The man is wearing a red dickey and blue jacket with yellow tape in decorative patterns. He is also wearing red breeches and yellow leggins, and a red fez with a blue tassel.
Description
Illustration of a man wearing a zouave-style uniform and holding a rifle. The man is wearing a red dickey and blue jacket with yellow tape in decorative patterns. He is also wearing red breeches and yellow leggins, and a red fez with a blue tassel. The print is labeled "French Zouaves / 55th Reg. Col. Le Gal."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0010.06
accession number
1978.0010
catalog number
1978.0010.06
85353M

Illustration of soldier in the 9th New York, Hawkins Zouaves

Illustration of a man wearing a zouave-style uniform and holding a rifle. The man is wearing a blue dickey and jacket with red tape in decorative patterns including a chevron on his arm sleeve. He is also wearing blue trousers with a red stripe and a red fez with a blue tassel.
Description
Illustration of a man wearing a zouave-style uniform and holding a rifle. The man is wearing a blue dickey and jacket with red tape in decorative patterns including a chevron on his arm sleeve. He is also wearing blue trousers with a red stripe and a red fez with a blue tassel. The print is labeled "New York Zouaves / N. Y. St. Vol. Col. Hawkins".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0010.07
accession number
1978.0010
catalog number
1978.0010.07
85354M

Illustration of New York Volunteer in the Union Army

Illustration of a man wearing a non-regulation Union army uniform, including sky blue trousers, dark blue kepi, and a sky blue overcoat with a scarlet inside lining. He is depicted in full march gear, with a pack, belts, and rifle over his shoulder.Currently not on view
Description
Illustration of a man wearing a non-regulation Union army uniform, including sky blue trousers, dark blue kepi, and a sky blue overcoat with a scarlet inside lining. He is depicted in full march gear, with a pack, belts, and rifle over his shoulder.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0010.05
accession number
1978.0010
catalog number
1978.0010.05
85352M

Illustration of De Kalb zouave soldier

Illustration of a man wearing a zouave-style uniform and holding a rifle. The man is wearing a blue dickey and jacket with red tape in decorative patterns and yellow tape in a distinctive sleeve design.
Description
Illustration of a man wearing a zouave-style uniform and holding a rifle. The man is wearing a blue dickey and jacket with red tape in decorative patterns and yellow tape in a distinctive sleeve design. He is also wearing blue breeches with a red stripe, white and yellow leggins, and a red fez with a blue tassel. The print is labeled "De Kalb Zouaves / N. Y. St. Vol. Capt. Duysing".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0010.04
accession number
1978.0010
catalog number
1978.0010.04
85351M

To the Cadets of the West Point Military Academy, May 15, 1828

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1828
associated date
1830 - 1840
1828 05 15
Associated Name
United States Military Academy
artist
Catlin, George
colorist
Hill, John
ID Number
AF.60055M
catalog number
60055M
accession number
224396

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