INSCRIBED SOUTHERN CROSS OF HONOR

$395.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 480-339

The Southern Cross of Honor was conceived of in 1898, adopted in 1899 and first issued in 1900. These were given by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to living Confederate veterans with honorable service in the Confederate army, navy or marines. The medal is a bronze toned Maltese Cross bearing a wreath of laurel surrounding the words "Deo / Vindice /  1861 / 1865" and the inscription, "Southern Cross of Honor" on the four branches of the cross. On the reverse side is a Confederate Battle Flag surrounded by a laurel wreath and the words "United Daughters [of the] Confederacy to the UCV” on the branches of the cross. This is suspended from a rectangular top pinback bar, bearing in raised letters on the reverse, “Patented / Charles W. Crankshaw / Atlanta,” who was the contractor chosen to produce the medal. The face of the top bar is professionally engraved in script “W.H.H. Cobb.”

More than 78,000 of these are known to have been presented from 1900 to 1913, and an unknown number thereafter. In looking through possible candidates in rosters of Confederate soldiers it is impossible to rule out those named “W. Cobb” who simply did not supply a middle initial and those supplying an “H.” but who may have omitted the second “H.” or had it omitted by a record keeper. We note, though, that one strong contender might be former Confederate army Assistant Surgeon William Henry Harrison Cobb (any soldier with W.H.H. as initials has a pretty good chance of being a William Henry Harrison Somebody.) Cobb lived until 1909, so he was around when these crosses came into use, and socially prominent enough to merit a nicely engraved inscription. He was from North Carolina, got an M.D. from U.Penn. in 1861, enlisted as a private in the 2nd NC, rising to Sergeant Major and 2nd Lieutenant, by February 1863 when he passed the CS army medical examination board and was commissioned Assistant Surgeon for the 2nd NC with rank from Feb. 2, 1863. He served until 1865, and was paroled at Appomattox as the Assistant Surgeon for the 20th Georgia. He went on to practice medicine in North Carolina, in the area of Goldsboro and Wayne County, was a prominent member of several medical associations, and died in 1909. Correspondence with the UDC might reveal if this medal was awarded before his death and whether there are other candidates, but we think he is a pretty good possibility.

The condition is very good, showing just a small spot of verdigris on the reverse and some darkening on the face and minor rubs.  [sr][ph:m]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About INSCRIBED SOUTHERN CROSS OF HONOR

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

SCARCE VIEW OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL THOMAS ROSSER FROM THE ALBUM OF R. CHANNING PRICE PRESENTED TO HIM BY JEB STUART

CDV is a full standing view of Thomas L. Rosser wearing a dark civilian frock coat with a white vest and dark cravat with matching white trousers. He holds his dark hat in his hand, just behind his waist. Rosser is posed in front of a painted… (846-497). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

29
Apr

May 15 - 19: NSS-A Spring Nationals Learn More »

Instagram