"Washington Accepting Command of the Armies"
From "Heritage USA: The American Revolution"
© Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

George Washington's Sword
1776

For "self-defense or in the defense of [the] country and its rights"
General George Washington wore this battle sword and scabbard while commanding the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The weapon has a slightly curved, grooved steel blade; silver strips decorate its green ivory grip. When Washington passed the sword onto his army captain nephew, Samuel Washington, he charged him to use it only in "self-defense or in the defense of [the] country and its rights." 

	George Washington, born February 22 [February 11, Old Style], 1732, Westmoreland county, VA; died December 14, 1799, Mt. Vernon, VA.
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