Evening star., 1897-03-20

for patriotic generosity in the dona lion
of supplies, etc, and one to George F, Rob-
inson, now a paymaster on the retired list,
for saving the life of Mr.. Seward, Secre-
tary of State, when attacked by the con-
spirator. Payne.
The regulation medal of honor was first
established as a reward for military serv-
ice by a law, approved July l., 1862 which
provided That the President of the United
States be and is hereby authorized to cause
1000 medals of honor to be prepared with
suitable embematie devices. and to direct
that the same be presented in the name of
Congress TO such non commissioned officers
and privates as shall most distinguish
themselves by their gallantry and action.
and their soIdier-like qualities during the
present insurrection." This was followed
by act. approved March g. 1853, pro-
viding that the President cause to be
struck from the dies recently prepared at
the United States mint for that purpose
medals of honor, additional to those at
thorized by the act of July II, 1861, and
present the same to suca officers lon-com-
missioned officers and privates as have
most distinguished Or may hereafter most
distinguish themselves in action; and the
sum of $2e,OoO Is hereby appropriated. out
OF any money In the treasury no. otherwise
appropriated 10 defrly the expenses O: the
same
Description of the Medal.
The medal adopted was a fve-pointed
star, tipped with trefoil, each point con-
middle, within a circle of thirty-four stars
America, personified as Minerva, stands
with her left hand resting on the fasces,
while with her right hand, in which she
holds shield emblazoned with the Ameri-
can arms, she repulses Discord, represented
by crouching figure OF man with two
snakes in each hand. The whole is gus
pended by trophy of two crossed cannon
balls and a sword, surmounted by the
American eagle. which is united by rib
bon of thirteen stripes, palewiSe, guleS and
argent and a chief azure to clasp COM
posed of two cornucopias and the Ameri-
can arms. The medal is made of an alloy
Of copper, and not of gun metal as popu-
larly supposed.
resolution was passed prescribing ribbon
to be worn with the medal of honor, and Il
Knot to be worn in lieu Of the medal. to be
each of a pattern as follows: The ribbon to
be of silk one inch wide and one inch in
length: the center stripe of white. one-six-
teenth of an inch wide. fianked on either
side by stripe of blue seven thirty-sec-
ends of an inch wide, bordered by two
stripes of red each one quarter of an inch
wide. This ribbon was substituted for the
original one previously described. The
III OF to be worn in lieu of the medal is a
bow-knot of the same combination of col
orS the new ribbon.
During the civil war the distinctive corps
tadges were regarded as proud mark Of
distinction. Before that in the war with
Mexico, a law was passed providing that
when any private soldier shall so dstin-
gush himself, the President may upon the
recommendation of the commanding Off
Ger of the regiment grant him certificate
or merit. which shall entftie him to addi-
tfonal pay at the rate of two dollars per
month During the civil war officers who
rendered meritorious services were usually
rewarded with brevets.