Evening journal., 1895-04-16
UNCLE SAM S MEDALS.
The Rewards for Bravery and
Heroism Given BY Congress.
VALUED FOR REooLLBorloys

or Exploits Which Rank wiih the yaun-
ted Ones Of the Age of chlvairy-A Brief
History ofthe Bronzs Token GIVEN Our
Veterans.
The recent awarding Of medal Of
honor to Bfevet msj S. Redmond
Smith for gallant aud brave condnc. has
Created considerable interest among the
veterans who reside In this city and
stciuity and short history Of the medal
may prove interesting
Ia the hrst place the medal Is of little
intrinsic value A Eve pointed star Of
bronze, tipped with trefoil, each point
containing crown OF laurel aud OAK III
The middle within a circle OF thirty four
stars Is represented America, psrsoni-
hsi as Minerva, standing with the left
hand resting on the fasces, while with
aer right in which sue holds shield
emblszuned with the American arms. she
re ulses Discord. represented with two
snakes in each band The whole Is
suspended by a trophy Of two crossed
cannons balls and a sword surmounted
~ the American eagle hich il uuited
ny ribbon Of thirteen stripes, pale wise
gules ana argent and chic szure. 10 q
clasp composed OF two coinucoples and
The American arms This Is the medal
But IL Is not the mere value IA dollars
and cents, that constitutes its worth
10 the man who receives it, it means
much, and though 1t may be laid aside
70 be kept as an heirloom for future
generations and only brought out for
Inspection by a comrade or TO be worn
on parade on special occasions. It records
Exploits as grand, as noble and as heroic
ss any in the SO called age OF chigslry !;
exploits which bayeshed and added laster
on the national escu loheon
There Is no reward for military merit
dearer to the soldiers heart than the
decoration bestowed by his government
Tor bravery, aud all other rewards are as
rifles compared with the personal
decoration which Germany gives in the
Iron Cross; England, the Victoria Cross
France, The Cross Of the Legion Of
Honor; Russia. the Cross OF Saint George
n the United States, the Medal of
Honor When won they sre isalously
guarded, and Ia all countries but this
conspieuously honored.
In other lands the possessor OF the
& orious token is envied oy men. admired
by women, and loved by children In
bis country the wearers Of the medal
are almost unknown, and the only
records of their heroism lie buried 10 the
War Department pigeon holes.
In other lands the cross is pinned on
proud breasts with an accompaniment Of
paraoing troops, prancing Of cavalry,
umble OF artillery wheels, flashing Of
infantry bsyonets and crash OF military
bands. In his country the postman
hands to the brave winner slender
parcel with the remark, FOR yau, M
3, and no Gre Is aware u the houor
Conferred Sc much for tAst NOV for
bit of history
In 1882 General Washington ordered
he comforting Of honorary badges for
bravery, &c, in the SHAPE. first. Of A
narrow piece OF white cloth of angular
'oTm fixed to the left arm Of the uniform
coat Later heart In purple worn on
the left breast
Congress had not yet pro oslsimed the
nd pendence Of the colonies when IL
ordered a gold medal struck and pre-
sented to General Washington, for wise
conduct in the siege Of Boston. Although
ibis was the frat medal voted the first
one struck was Of silver TO Lieutenant
Colonel Fleury, French engineer, who
entered the ranks aud fought his way by
Drsvery.
Only eighty-six Of these medals were
ever struck and but three Of them com.
memorate episodes ia the war of he
rebellion One was given to General
Grant for bis victories. one to Cornelius
Vanderbilt for patriotic generosity, and
one to George Foster Robinson for saving
The life of Secretary Of State Seward,
The present medal of honor was first
established as reward for military
service by law In 1852, approved in 1861
md the first man to get oue OF them was
tirsi Sergeant John Shilling, of Company
4 Bid Delaware IOfantry, who captured d
nag single banded AID alone, at Weldon
X Va August 81 1854 The next
D-lswareans to be so honored we're
Private John B MAY berry, Company F..
is Delaware Iufantry, cspture OF hag
st Spottsylvsnia. vs., May 10. 1864 /:
Private Bernsid McUsrreu, Compsuy c.
lst Delaware. hAg capture Gsttysourg.
July 3. 1868
Since then Colonel Wair wright Gan
sral Postles Joseph E Vantine. David
Buckingham and s Rodnond smith we're
among the medal winners
There sre many OF the soldiers or the
Diamond State wno II bravery in line Of
duty was the qua idcation for the medal.
would win them, unfortunately only
those heroic acts which were voluntarily
assumed outside the line Of daty, count
Captain Peter X Ayars was one OF The
hravest OF the brave. and left his arm IS
testimonial to his doggsd bravery al d
unfinching heroism
It was In the line Of duty, however.
and while leading his men in charge
over bridge in the very teeth OF the
enemy that it occurred and there is not q
veteran who knows him who would not
join in petition for Hedsl for him. Il
would be reward for merit and au en-
courseement to heroic deeds If lie aud
others like him were honored
Harry YerxsT,
The well known picture dealer, is still at
the old stand, No. 4l0 Shipley street,