The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-03-28

those of many others Of the 1000, 900
enlisted men in the late war not so
honored. Many a loyal and brave deed
has gone unnoticed and unsung. The
award of the medal of honor, however,
is significant of conspicuous and mer-
itorious service.
Soon after the beginning of the war
congress recognized the necessity Of
giving something distinctive and lasting
to those men whose bravery was so con-
spicuous as to merit the commanding
generals commendation for a token of
honor. To this end they voted to con-
stitute the Legion of Honor, and to
present those with the proper recon-
mendations, a bronze medal.
The medal is in the shape of a large
star, with figure emblematic of war
on one side and the recipients name,
regiment and the occasion of the act of
bravery specially commended, inscribed
on the other Only 442 of these medals
have so far been awarded.
Colonel Quay at Fredericksburg.
Senator Quay won his Legion of
Honor medal for bravery at the battle
of Fredericksburg. He was colonel of
the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth
Pennsylvania volunteers, and after some
severe service his health failed. 1t had
never been robust, and a surgeon told
him he must go home to recuperate OF
he would die.
Finding himself physically unable to
pursue his duties Colonel Quay sent in
his resignation. 1t was accepted a day
or two before the battle Of Fredericks-
burg. But it then had become clear
that the great engagement soon to be
fought would be bitter one. 1t was
believed that it was to be one of the
critical battles of the rebellion. Colonel
Quay said that he could not go home at
that time. He applied for permission
to lead his old command, but as his re-
signatiOn had been accepted, this request
was refused. He then applied to Gen
eral Tyler, who commanded the brigade,
for a position on his staff. The general
said be could have it if the surgeon
would permit it. The surgeon said: ''If
Colonel Quay goes into action he will
die like a fool"
He Risl0ed His Life.
Quay answered, when this remark
was repeated to him; IL had rather die
fool than live a coward.
He was upon General Tyler's staff in
that awful battle, and his bravery was
remarkable. He risked his life again
and again, when many courageous Of
ficer held back, and inspired those
about him with his untaltering spirit.
Brigadier General Tyler, in his official
detail of the action, said: "Colonel NJ.
+ S. Quay, late Of the One Hundred and
/ Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania infantry,
was ON my staff as a volunteer aide-de-
camp, and to him 1 am greatly indebted.
Notwithstanding his enfeebled health
he was in the saddle early and late, ever
prompt and efficient, and especially SO
during the engagement" When Mr.
Cleveland became president General Ty.
Ter and the survivors Of Colonel Quay's
old regiment, united in a petition that
the government medal for unusual bray.
cry be given to Colonel Quay. He re
ceived it, and he deserved it. Genera
Tyler afterwards became very poor, anC
some of his friends wrote to Senator
Quay, asking aid for the old veteran
Quay is man who never forgets hi
friends, and in a short time he secured
for his old commander comfortable po
sitiOn in Baltimore.