Hey, I'm a historian, LOL. Great stuff BTW. As a former cavalryman myself, I do have to point out that they're called "sabers." _Broadswords_ haven't been used in warfare for centuries, but the last saber was issued for fighting by the US in 1943 (still used for ceremonial purposes). Silly nit-pick though. Keep it up the good work. You got my sub.
The Cynical Historian haha. Thanks much! I had seen in some of my research that they were called sabers but I also saw them called cavalry broadsword. Went with the bigger sounding name!
The Cynical Historian- Yeah, "broadsword" is definitely an incorrect term in this context. I guess if he was going off of period(1840s) sources, I suppose you could argue that it was kinda, sorta still not too long after the period of the smallsword that someone might still use the term "broadsword" to distinguish any sword that's not a smallsword. But, yeah, we know better in the 21st century. At least he wasn't using it in reference to medieval double-edged swords, i.e. arming swords and longswords! 😃
Cynical Historian - You are 100% correct in your identification of the swords used as sabers. However, it is going a bit far to say that broadswords were phased out earlier than sabers (or give that impression). While I will grant that in the US broadswords were not found often, they were used. George Armstrong Custer carried a captured broadsword in the later civil war (inscribed "draw me not without reason, sheath me not without honor"). The British manual(s) on swords were for both sabers and claidheamh mòr (claymores) - the basket hilted broadsword carried by the Scottish Blackwatch. Many times British officers faced rebelling colonies in the 19th century which wielded swords in close in combat, and their revolvers only had 6 shots. Don't forget, if someone is trying to cut YOU and not just banging his sword against yours for a hollywood camera, if he has a heavy weapon, YOU need a heavy weapon to parry. My basket hilt weighs about a pound and a half more than my 1860 saber and I could see that it would be a more effective tool against a machete than the saber ...... just my take on things.
Dale Carnegie, an American writer and lecturer, and the developer of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills, explored the Lincoln-Shields duel in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936). Carnegie theorises that this incident was so shocking for Lincoln, that Lincoln resolved thenceforth to avoid criticising people as much as possible, even political opponents and enemies, simply because of the futility of criticism. Carnegie then further explains the futility of criticism, why criticising people should be avoided, and describes various ways that one can interact with people whom one is tempted to criticise in a more positive and productive way.
K so first off good video, well presented and entertaining, but I gotta correct something. The term broadsword was only used historically to refer to the straight, single-handed, basket-hilted, double-edged, scottish, sword in the 19th century. What you showed was a saber
Thank you for sharing these slices of history in such an entertaining way. As for the broadswords vs. saber debate, Lincoln's written terms for the duel called for "cavalry broadswords of the largest size," though sabers were actually in use. So, either term is right. For more information, in kid-friendly terms, watch for my nonfiction picture book about the duel releasing in February 2018.
Dude, Your analysis is really flawed. Shields was a freakin war hero at this time with tons of experience in the field and in killing people. He had served in the Fox and Sac wars and was immortalized for his bravery at three separate battles during the Mexican War. He was famous and there were even songs written about him. The reason he didn't back down is because at the time he was also a seasoned Army Colonel and knew how to use that sabre. Just sayin. He's also famous later on - twenty years after this as being the only Union General in the Civil War to defeat Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Kernstown.
when i subbed you had like 74 subs NOW YOU HAVE 422 SUBS? holy shit m8,congrats! and that was a very shitty move on abes part.he was alway a trickster deep down.
funny Jeff's Gabriel's dad I'm Rebecca Lincoln's neice lol hahaha I'm glad they brought it up because he's going to be going into war sooner than every day I see a bigger challenge and I'm also needed now as the result of the war crisis to this day amen
Haha. Yeah I'm no sword nerd. In my research, Lincoln's sword was referred to as a calvary broadsword. But I have been corrected and I now know the err of my ways. Thanks for watching, Andrew!
US 101, Well thank you for the unexpectedly speedy reply, sir! Yeah, I actually replied to the other commenter who called you out on it, to say it's totally possible that period sources might have still used the term "broadsword" to distinguish from the smallsword, which had only recently gone out of fashion. So, not really incorrect terminology as much as archaic. Kinda like saying "the consumption" in place of tuberculosis. Thanks again for the reply! 😃
Levi Fontaine, it is a tricky topic indeed! Not only did the meaning of the term "broadsword" change over time, it has changed more than once and its definition can vary even today. "Broadsword" originally referred to swords from about 1550 to about 1830, which had a wider, double-edged blade(look up "basket-hilted broadsword"). The reason it was called this was to distinguish it from the very thin-bladed rapier and its later descendent, the smallsword, both of which co-existed with the broadsword. After the smallsword became unfashionable(roughly 1830s), "broadsword" was used to refer to any medieval or renaissance double-edged sword, a notion that continues even to the present. Most recently, sword experts have begun using the former definition once again, i.e. in reference to basket-hilted broadswords. In searching for "Civil War cavalry broadsword", the only references I find are in regards to this specific incident(the Lincoln duel). Also, remember that this took place in 1842, nearly 2 decades before the Civil War, so Civil War swords of any type were not yet a thing. Interestingly, the English Civil War(the one in the 1640s) took place right during the hayday of the basket-hilted broadsword. So, considering that, plus the fact that there was cavalry, you could argue that yes, there was/is such a thing as a cavalry broadsword. But there is nothing we would call a "cavalry broadsword" in use during the American Civil War, just sabers. By the way, sabers are broad-bladed compared to smallswords. It is for this reason I believe the period sources used the term "broadsword". T he person writing it was almost certainly old enough to remember when it was necessary to distinguish other(cutting) swords from the(stab-only) smallsword. I hope that clears things up for you. I could go on forever just because the subject of sword terminology is way more complicated than it should be. But... that's the way it is! Long story... long, it is my opinion that what Lincoln had in mind for this duel were sabers.
Andrew Eden Inhave no doubt that they were sabres. Same fighting system as a broadsword, and of course as you said, it differentiates it from the still in use spadroons. The Confederates had a straight cavalry pallasch type sword that is referred to as a broadsword, so that's what I had done n mind. It's like how smallswords are sometimes referred to as "rapiers"
Hey, I'm a historian, LOL. Great stuff BTW. As a former cavalryman myself, I do have to point out that they're called "sabers." _Broadswords_ haven't been used in warfare for centuries, but the last saber was issued for fighting by the US in 1943 (still used for ceremonial purposes). Silly nit-pick though. Keep it up the good work. You got my sub.
The Cynical Historian haha. Thanks much! I had seen in some of my research that they were called sabers but I also saw them called cavalry broadsword. Went with the bigger sounding name!
The Cynical Historian- Yeah, "broadsword" is definitely an incorrect term in this context. I guess if he was going off of period(1840s) sources, I suppose you could argue that it was kinda, sorta still not too long after the period of the smallsword that someone might still use the term "broadsword" to distinguish any sword that's not a smallsword. But, yeah, we know better in the 21st century. At least he wasn't using it in reference to medieval double-edged swords, i.e. arming swords and longswords! 😃
Cynical Historian - You are 100% correct in your identification of the swords used as sabers. However, it is going a bit far to say that broadswords were phased out earlier than sabers (or give that impression). While I will grant that in the US broadswords were not found often, they were used. George Armstrong Custer carried a captured broadsword in the later civil war (inscribed "draw me not without reason, sheath me not without honor"). The British manual(s) on swords were for both sabers and claidheamh mòr (claymores) - the basket hilted broadsword carried by the Scottish Blackwatch. Many times British officers faced rebelling colonies in the 19th century which wielded swords in close in combat, and their revolvers only had 6 shots. Don't forget, if someone is trying to cut YOU and not just banging his sword against yours for a hollywood camera, if he has a heavy weapon, YOU need a heavy weapon to parry. My basket hilt weighs about a pound and a half more than my 1860 saber and I could see that it would be a more effective tool against a machete than the saber ...... just my take on things.
Dale Carnegie, an American writer and lecturer, and the developer of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills, explored the Lincoln-Shields duel in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936). Carnegie theorises that this incident was so shocking for Lincoln, that Lincoln resolved thenceforth to avoid criticising people as much as possible, even political opponents and enemies, simply because of the futility of criticism. Carnegie then further explains the futility of criticism, why criticising people should be avoided, and describes various ways that one can interact with people whom one is tempted to criticise in a more positive and productive way.
I'm not one to enjoy historical videos that aren't Hamilton related but this is pretty interesting actually
General Shields was my ancestor on my mothers side. The pass the story down basically as you stated.
Wasn't the end I was expecting also😂😂😂.
Very nice way of presenting a story,can't help but to subscribe
Another great video, I can't wait to see you blow up with subs!
Here's hoping! Thanks for the support!
K so first off good video, well presented and entertaining, but I gotta correct something. The term broadsword was only used historically to refer to the straight, single-handed, basket-hilted, double-edged, scottish, sword in the 19th century. What you showed was a saber
Thank you for sharing these slices of history in such an entertaining way. As for the broadswords vs. saber debate, Lincoln's written terms for the duel called for "cavalry broadswords of the largest size," though sabers were actually in use. So, either term is right. For more information, in kid-friendly terms, watch for my nonfiction picture book about the duel releasing in February 2018.
Your videos are so good. How do you not have half a million subs already?
BeeLover haha. Still a new channel. But feel free to spread the word!
Will do. Keep up the great content.
This is awesome! i always loved U.S. history growing up.
Where do you do must of your studying/reading? Keep it up! :)
I do my reading and studying at home. I love researching this stuff and presenting it to you guys! Thanks for watching.
Bravo!
Bryan Johnson thank you. You're far too kind.
Pen name? So like a gamertag.
James Sheilds my ancestor 😊
Later Brigadier General and statesman.
Wait I’ve been told he is mine too!
My name is Jeff... :(
Darskul you know what you did...
Dude, Your analysis is really flawed. Shields was a freakin war hero at this time with tons of experience in the field and in killing people. He had served in the Fox and Sac wars and was immortalized for his bravery at three separate battles during the Mexican War. He was famous and there were even songs written about him. The reason he didn't back down is because at the time he was also a seasoned Army Colonel and knew how to use that sabre. Just sayin. He's also famous later on - twenty years after this as being the only Union General in the Civil War to defeat Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Kernstown.
when i subbed you had like 74 subs
NOW YOU HAVE 422 SUBS?
holy shit m8,congrats! and that was a very shitty move on abes part.he was alway a trickster deep down.
lel me 2 but he had 72
An affair of honour Lord
Keith Huges brought me here
Definitely sabers.
Well, I mean, Lincoln seems to be doing well in Theaters....
This statement is not historically accurate.
Dude you come in my house I just want you to get out, this just random
funny Jeff's Gabriel's dad I'm Rebecca Lincoln's neice lol hahaha I'm glad they brought it up because he's going to be going into war sooner than every day I see a bigger challenge and I'm also needed now as the result of the war crisis to this day amen
If you’re looking for a homicidal President in duels look no further than Jackson.
Hahaha! I'll give you $50,000 if you can define for me what a "cavalry broadsword" is... Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Sword nerd here 😊
Haha. Yeah I'm no sword nerd. In my research, Lincoln's sword was referred to as a calvary broadsword. But I have been corrected and I now know the err of my ways. Thanks for watching, Andrew!
US 101, Well thank you for the unexpectedly speedy reply, sir! Yeah, I actually replied to the other commenter who called you out on it, to say it's totally possible that period sources might have still used the term "broadsword" to distinguish from the smallsword, which had only recently gone out of fashion. So, not really incorrect terminology as much as archaic. Kinda like saying "the consumption" in place of tuberculosis. Thanks again for the reply! 😃
Look up Civil War cavalry broadsword
Levi Fontaine, it is a tricky topic indeed! Not only did the meaning of the term "broadsword" change over time, it has changed more than once and its definition can vary even today. "Broadsword" originally referred to swords from about 1550 to about 1830, which had a wider, double-edged blade(look up "basket-hilted broadsword"). The reason it was called this was to distinguish it from the very thin-bladed rapier and its later descendent, the smallsword, both of which co-existed with the broadsword. After the smallsword became unfashionable(roughly 1830s), "broadsword" was used to refer to any medieval or renaissance double-edged sword, a notion that continues even to the present. Most recently, sword experts have begun using the former definition once again, i.e. in reference to basket-hilted broadswords. In searching for "Civil War cavalry broadsword", the only references I find are in regards to this specific incident(the Lincoln duel). Also, remember that this took place in 1842, nearly 2 decades before the Civil War, so Civil War swords of any type were not yet a thing. Interestingly, the English Civil War(the one in the 1640s) took place right during the hayday of the basket-hilted broadsword. So, considering that, plus the fact that there was cavalry, you could argue that yes, there was/is such a thing as a cavalry broadsword. But there is nothing we would call a "cavalry broadsword" in use during the American Civil War, just sabers. By the way, sabers are broad-bladed compared to smallswords. It is for this reason I believe the period sources used the term "broadsword". T
he person writing it was almost certainly old enough to remember when it was necessary to distinguish other(cutting) swords from the(stab-only) smallsword. I hope that clears things up for you. I could go on forever just because the subject of sword terminology is way more complicated than it should be. But... that's the way it is! Long story... long, it is my opinion that what Lincoln had in mind for this duel were sabers.
Andrew Eden Inhave no doubt that they were sabres. Same fighting system as a broadsword, and of course as you said, it differentiates it from the still in use spadroons. The Confederates had a straight cavalry pallasch type sword that is referred to as a broadsword, so that's what I had done n mind. It's like how smallswords are sometimes referred to as "rapiers"
To much talk, more of the topic