Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-04
WAR MEDALS PRESENTED
TO NATIONAL MUSEUM
Collection of Decorations Of Thirty
Five Nations Given by Mrs.
Thomas Kelly Boggs.

The comforting of decoration and
medals for distinguished conduct in
times of war has been well nigh univer-
sal since the beginning OF organized
warfare. This is well illustrated by a
remarkable collection Of decorations and
medals conferred by some thirty-flve ma
tons for various war services, recently
received by the United States National
Museum from Mrs. Boggs. widow Of
Lieut.. Thomas Kelly Boggs Lieut.
Boggs, who assembled this collection Of
212 medals and decorations. was himself
the holder OF FIVE badges representing
his military service during the civil war
Lieut. Boggs first enlisted at the age
OF twenty-five in Philadelphia, on April
IA, 1851. and was chosen second lieuten-
ant of Company II. 23d Pennsylvania
ing been mustered out at the expiration
OF It's three months service, he at once
re-enlisted and was appointed first lieu
tenant Of Company C. 23d Pennsylvania,
and served with it until its discharge
at the close Of its three years term.
September 20. 1854. He then applied for
a commission in the Regular Army. and
was nominated and confirmed as lieu
tenant in the 14th United States In
fantry: By some oversight he was not
tS
when 1t was too late for his acceptance.
Medals From Many Nations.
The Boggs collection of decorations.
medals and tokens represents thirty
five countries. as follows: United
States. Argentina, Austria. Belgium,
Brazil. Chile. China, France, Germany.
Baden. Bavaria. Bremen, Hanover,
Hesse- Cassel, Hesse- Darmstadt, Mas
sau. Prussia, Saxony. Saxe-Gotha-Al-
tenburg, Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld Sake
Weimar- Efsenach. Schleswig- Holste Elm,
Great Britain. Hawaii. Italy. Japan.
Mexico. Netherlands. Portugal, Ruma-
MIA. Russia, Serbia. Spain. Turkey and
Venezuela. A number Of these medals
bear dates as far back as 1890. and the
majority Of them represent events of
Some Of the most important happen
ings OF European history are comment
Grated by certain of the collection. such
as silver medal awarded in Nassau
IN 1913 for service during the battle Of
France. inscribed "Alsace-Lorraine.
France: Justice: an English silver
medal awarded for service at Sebasto-
pol during the Crimean war. 1854: two
Russian medals awarded for services
in the two wars with Turkey. 1S2S-29
and 1s77-7S. and many others comment
orative Of equally important events
Decorations issued by the govern
ments Of Great Britain, France and
Germany are the most numerous in
Lieut.. Boggs' collection. and are a par
ticularly interesting series. A great
many OF the important events in the
history Of Great Britain from 1909 to
1900 are represented by some sort of
medal, including a number of the East
Indian uprisings and the African wars.
Some Of the French medals date back
to the French revolution. and the se-
ries tells nearly the complete story of
frances history from that period down
to the present time The German med
ais, made mostly of bronze, steel and
iron. cover quite thoroughly the his
tory of that warlike state for the la
hundred years.
The whole series is of real interest
as phase Of the worlds history rem
resented by those men Of all times who
have merited by their actions a mark
OF appreciation by their government.