This is a polite way of referring to people who died in battle. AT: "had been killed" or "had died in battle" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])
Here drawing the sword represents using the sword in battle. Possible meanings are 1) this phrase refers to soldiers who use swords in battle. AT: "swordsmen" or "men who fought with swords" or 2) this phrase refers to any soldiers. AT: "soldiers" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])