The fiftieth anniversary of Gettysburg was supposed to be devoted to the themes of peace and reconciliation. President Wilson was to address the crowd that included 50,000 veterans by some accounts and numerous relatives and visitors. This is a nice example of a scarce Delaware veteran’s badge made for the occasion. Only two Delaware infantry regiments fought in the battle, comprising less than 500 men, and about a third were casualties. There cannot have been very many veterans of the battle present.

The top bar and drop are bronze, linked by a blue and gray ribbon to mark the joint nature of the commemoration which included Confederate veterans of the battle. The top bar is simply and boldly marked, “DELAWARE VETERAN” in two lines. The medal itself is a wide diamond with Gettysburg at top, July at bottom, and 1863 and 1913 at either side of the diamond. At center is the “blue hen” and chicks associated with Delaware, alluding both to someone with a high opinion of themselves and a quick temper, and the fighting disposition of gamecocks, both proudly associated with Delaware troops in the Revolution and boasted of thereafter.

The condition is excellent, with nice tones to the bronze and good color to the ribbon.  [sr]

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