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President Abraham Lincoln signed S.J.R. No. 82 into law as 12 Stat. 623-624 thereby providing for the creation of the Army Medal of Honor. Two thousand "medals of honor" were to be prepared for presentation to non-commissioned officers and privates "as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present insurrection." The Army MOH design consists of an eagle (symbolizing the United States of America) perched on top of a cannon with a saber grasped in its talons. Attached below is an inverted 5-point star with a cluster of laurel leaves (representing victory) mixed with a cluster of oak (strength), on each point. Thirty four stars, one for each state of the Union encircle the insignia "Minerva Repulsing Discord". The Congressional Medal of Honor shown at left was awarded to Sergeant William Porter, Company H. | |
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Founded in Decatur, IL on 6 April 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership in the GAR was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between 12 April 1861 and 9 April 1865. The community level organization was to be called a "post". Encampments were held at both the state and national levels. In 1868 the Commander-in-Chief issued General Order No. 11 calling for all departments and posts to set aside the 30th of May as a day of remembering the sacrifices of fallen comrades, thereby beginning the celebration of Memorial Day. The design of the badge at left is patterned after the CMOH and is that worn by the rank and file GAR member. This particular badge is that of Private James MacAvoy, Company L. | |
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1st Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry October 18, 1898 Pictured at left is a bust engraving of Colonel Hugh H. Janeway who was killed 5 April 1865 at Amelia Springs, VA. | |
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Composed of the 1st New Jersey, 1st Pennsylvania, Kane's Bucktail Batallion, and Hall's Maine Battery Around February 1864, Adjutant William P. Lloyd of the 1st Penna. Cav. designed and had made a silver badge commemorating Bayard's Brigade of 1862. They were worn like an ID badge during the last year of the war by some officers and enlisted men. (Photo and information courtesy of Andrew German) | |
