Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-28

1
| "a soldier In the German army would 20 to the
lannon's mouth to win that" and the speaker. an
oncer OF the National Museum pointed out &c
IHE STAR reporter the iron cross OF Germany II
Is one OF series OF badges and medals that have
Deen arranged for exhibition In a case at the
NATIONAL Museum. Among these is a collection OF
mintary decorations or medals The Cross Of the
Legion OF Honor OF France. the Iron Cross OF Ger.
many, and other decorations which soldier OF a
European army would regard as a ut recompense
ior lifetime OF hardship and OF hard fighting are
arranged in glittering row, each attached to q
little bit Of colored ribbon some of the field mar
snalS OF European armies have so many of these
oeeorallons 10 wear that their padded coat bosoms
large number OF them instead Of wearing the
originals has miniatures OF them MADE and wears
Thar strung on little chain across his breast
Don around the neck, and then the decorations OF
tne same order. but lesser rank, that are pinned
DECORATIONS prizes IT as highly as patent to no
pity: II I; Is a purely military order it means
ne mas been so conspicuous for bravery on the
neiu Oh battle as 70 have won the attention
OF HIS SOVEREIGN.
Napoleon Bonaparte, the great soldier frequently
poses In literature as taking decoration from his
own breast and pinning it upon the coat OF some
brave soldier In the ranks In fact there are so
many Frenehmen whose ancestors were, accord
ing 10 family tradition, thus distinguished by
Napoleon that 1t is surmised that in providing for
q campaign Napoleon must have included q
WAGON load OF decorations In his baggage train.
sometimes he took decoration from the coat OF one
OF MS marshals or aides and gave 1t to soldier In
whatever manner the decoration was conferred the
ably Is stil retained as a priceless heirloom by
some member OF his family.
THE LEGION OF HONOR.
The cross OF the Legion OF Honor in the collec-
ton at the Museum was, 1t is said, given by the
founder OF the order to a soldier at the Bridge of
| IfsxtN
rayed cross OF white enamel, upon green
enameied wreath OF oak, surmounted by French
Imperial crown, the whole being attached to a red
diverse bears head OF Napoleon; 70 right the
words Napoleon, Emperor Des Francaisp
encircling the head In letters of gold upon blue
enamel The reverse bears an imperial eagle, and
the inscription Honor ct Patrier The crosses
given since NapoleOns day differ In design as the
imperial eInblemS are not In keeping with the
changes In the political conditions OF France.
The Legion OF Honor was Instituted by Napoleon
Bonaparte the 10Th OF May, 1902 10 recompense
military and civil services BY ordinance OF Louis
XVIII, July o, 1914, the order was approved and
confirmed IL Is composed OF a grand master (the
King, grand chancellor, so grand commanders,
100 grand omcerS 400 commanders, and 9, 600 on
GERS, the number OF knights or chevaliers being
unlimited. Princes royal and foreign members are
sary to have the rank OF knight before receiving
the higher degrees OF this order which could be
conferred only after service, military CIVIL of
twenty-five years, or having rendered important
services 10 king or state, or being distinguished in
some special action. At the Installation the fol-
lowing oath was taken: 81 swear fidelity to the
King, nonor and my country; to reveal Instantly
anything coming TO my knowledge contrary TO the
interest OF ii. NJ. the king, or good OF the state;
with express permission OF the king; to observe
the laws, ordinances and regulations and
10 always bear myself as brave AMI
loyal knight OF the Legion of HONOR
Arter the revolution OF July the order again re-
sumed the unique place and special character
which had belonged TO IL under Bonaparte though
constitution LODI nth,
maximum number OF chevaliers has been fixed at
5000, the remaining four classes having 20 200,
49, 49, s ana 4,o0' respectively. In each grade
civilians At present the diverse OF the star bears
the efiigy OF the republic and the words "Repub-
with the original legend. The cross OF the legion
Is worn at the button-hole by knights OF the order
The superior class have chains OF gold worn In the
DuttOn-hole, with roSette on the ribbon. The
grand officers the same with an additional star on
the left breast. The grand commanders cross Is
suspended on a red ribbon worn across the left
recent Partisan scandal involving President Grevy
and bis son,in-laW Wilson. grew out, in part, Of
the order OF the Legion Of Honor.
SOUVENIR OF NAPOLEON
One OF the most curious and interesting medals
In the collection is souvenir of Napoleon L known
as the st. Helena medal. 1t is a small medal. the
diverse having stamped upon 1t the head OF the
great rs Napoleon, surrounded by laurel wreath
The inscription on this side is simply "Napoleon u
Emperor On the reverse is an Inscription setting
of the campaigns OF 1892, ITO his companions In
glory; his last thought. Saint Helena MAY 5th
lS21.. Provision for these medals and their dis
tr:out1on was made In NapOleon's Will They were
struck from The gun metal OF cannon captured by
Napoleon, and distributed among officers who had
served IN his various campaigns. Now they are
treasured by the descendants OF the officers who
received them.
GERxANY's IRON CROSS.
The Iron cross OF Germany Is simple iron cross
edged with silver. In the center of the diverse in
relief is the letter "W" surmounted by the Prus-
sian crown. Below is the date 1870 on the re-
verse In the center Is a branch OF oak surmounted
by the cross Of Frederick william ILL., who in
sttuted this order March 10, 1919. 10 honor those
OF his subjects who had distinguished themselves
In the campaign OF 1913 for patriotism or bravery
in the Prussian cause. The order is composed OF
grand commanders and two classes The dtstri-
button OF crosses ceased with the war The grand
cross was given only to those generals gaining
decisive battle, and was conferred upon the battle
Held. III was also given TO the commander OF a
fort who successfully defended his place from cap-
ture. No one could receive the first class unless
entitled TO wear the second-class star or cross BY
royal ordinance May s. 1913, In the church OF
each garrison were Inscribed the names OF the
dead who had distinguished themselves and to
whom tne cross Would have been given had they
thereby entitled 10 pensions from the state The
late emperor OF Germany re-estabshed this order
under all or It's former statutes as a recompenss
given the soldiers and officers Of the Franco-Cer
man war OF 1871. The cross OF iron edged win
silver worn by the military OF the second class is
attached TO the left breast by black ribbon and
b. civilians attached 10 the buttonhoIe by while
ribbon edged with black. The first class wear the
cross as astar, and the grand cross is worn sus-
pended from the neck by ribbon twice as wide
as the ribbon OF the first class
MEDALS OF HONOR.
medal that attracts notice In the collection
Is a campaign medal issued by Napoleon iii in
commemoration OF the Italian campaign OF 1859
II bears a head OF Napoleon Ill laureared
surrounded by wreath. The reverse is Inscribed
With the names OF battles, Monte BellO, Palestro
Tur0igo, Magenta, MarignaD, Solfertno Another
Is ponti1caI cross, bestowed upon soldiers VINO
fought Tor Pho Mono In the wars against Garibadi
from 1859 10 1865. Near this Is a medal given by
Pho Mono TO the Catholic soldiers OF his army
upon his Redistribution in Rome In ls49. on the
reverse OF this appear the papal keys and inter
within circle OF laurel medal OF merit given
| 10 soldiers who distinguished themselves In the
Austrian campaign In Bohemia Ia 1873 "a also
| Included In the collection Another Is a gold
medal or merit given TO Germans who won
distinction in the Franco PruSsian war ON the
reverse Is stamped maltese cross win
/ In laurel wreath In relief and the
years 1S7o-lS91- The reverse has an Imperial
crown, with the letter W In the field and an in
/ was with Us. To Him Is the Houorb ON the edge
Is the inscription: ''Struck In HONOR Another is
| the Hohenzoliern medal given by Frederick VIII.
| liam Nv To those who were loyal to the members
OF the Hohenzoiern family, the reigning family OF
Prussia during the troGble5ef 1S4S and lS49 This
| Is neatly designed silva medal. The revere
bears Maltese cross, the medallion in the center
being decorated with a Prusslan eagle with the
inscription. In German: "From Mountain to Sea
| The diverse has a bar across the center and The
words: Frederick william w." Above, in the
neld, lS4S, and below lS49 The German legend
reads: his warriors. true 70 the Death" Another