NEW YORK “MEDAL OF HONOR” FOR A GETTYSBURG PARTICIPANT

NEW YORK “MEDAL OF HONOR” FOR A GETTYSBURG PARTICIPANT

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Item Code: 2025-826

These medals are often taken to be merely general badges commemorating the dedication of the New York State monument at Gettysburg. They were, in fact, struck for issue only to New York soldiers verified as participating in the battle, much as the names on the Pennsylvania State monument were vetted for the soldier’s actual presence on the field. Officially called “Medals of Honor,” they were the brainchild of Daniel Sickles and adopted by the New York Monuments Commission for the Battlefield of Gettysburg on May 6, 1893. This was in preparation for “New York Day” at Gettysburg, which actually stretched over all three days of the thirtieth anniversary of the battle July 1, 2, and 3, 1893, but concentrated on the dedication of the state monument on July 2.

Permission was obtained from the Secretary of the Treasury to have the selected medal design struck in bronze at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and a circular dated May 24, 1893, was sent to the executive officers of each veteran organization requesting, “the utmost care to verify in every instance the fact that each and every applicant on their list was a veteran who participated with their command at the Battle of Gettysburg.” A total of 11,000 of these medals were struck, roughly 10,000 to be awarded according to the roles submitted to the Committee by August 1, 1893 and another 1,000 awarded on the basis subsequent applications that were vetted in part by comparison with the muster rolls of June 30 and August 31, 1863.

The bronze top bar includes the date of the battle in an arch at top, “July 1-2-3 1863” and “Gettysburg Veteran” across it. The medal is attached by suspension ring and the obverse shows the state seal at center and around it in raised letters, "Dedication of State Monuments at Gettysburg July 1, 2, 3 1893 - New York Day.” The reverse shows the state monument flanked by the dates 1863 and 1893 and surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The condition is very good, with sharp definition to the lettering and figures and good, even bronze tone to the whole, though with a little rubbing to reverse rim at right, to the hanging loop at top, and lacking the red, white and blue backing ribbon usually with these medals. Nevertheless, this is an attractive example of a medal the state took some pains to make sure was awarded only to soldiers taking part in the battle. Mike McAfee, well-known curator and archivist, said several years ago that he had searched the NY archives in vain for a compiled list of the veterans present on the field. We have only seen shorter lists, compiled by veterans at the company level, that were meant to back up granting of the medals. Perhaps some more extensive list still lies hidden somewhere.

These are rather special medals, we think.  [sr][ph:L]

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