White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-08-27

been in existence for nearly 40
years. 1t was not until John G. Fitzpatrick,
formerly assistant chief of the manuscript divi-
sion of the Library of Congress, now affiliated
with the George Washington Bicentennial Cee-
bratlon commission, revealed the result of re-
searches which he had made several years ago,
that the War department realized just such
decoration had been authorized way back In
l|o2 ana, so far as 1t has been possible to
learn, authority to award 1t has never been
revoked either by congress or the President
While Gen. Charles P. Summerall was chief of
staff study of the situation was made and
recommendation that the award of this decora-
ton be resumed without additional authority
from congress seemed probable. No definite &C.
ton was taken at the time, however, but, with
preparations for the nationwide celebration of
the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of
washington nearing completion, it seems likely
that this award may yet be re-established
For it was George Washington who estab-
lished this award the first military decoration
ever conferred by this country and the second
Oldest reward for valor in existence being.ante
dated only by the Russian Cross of St. George
known officially as the Badge of the Order of
Military Merit" 1t is also referred to as the
Order Of the Purple Heart" because Of the
shape of the badge 1t consists of heart
shaped piece of purple silk, fringed with lace
which was to be sewn the left breast of the
ooluleIS LuLlc.
peculiar situation led Washington to estab-
fish the award. During the Revolution it was
the custom for Washington and other generals
to give commissions and promotions as rewards
for valor. But congress decided that it alone
had the power to issue commissions to officers
and took that power away from the generals
Money was scarce and Washington could not
use 1t as reward, so he conceived the idea of
awarding badge of merit. Accordingly on Au-
q h. an.
order:
1.-THE general, DESTROYS to cherish virtu-
ambition in his soldiers, well as to foster
and encourage every species of military merit,
directs that whenever any singularly meritorius
action is performed the author of it shall be
permitted to wear on the facngs over his left
breast, the figure Of a heart in purple cloth or
silk, edged with narrow lace or binding
mot only instances of unusual gallantry, but
also of extraordinary fidelity and essential serv
ice in any way shall meet with a due reward.
Before this favor can be conferred on any man,
the particular fact, or facts, on which it is to
be grounded must be set forth to the COM
mander in chief, accompanied with certificates
from the commanding officers of the regiment
and brigade to which the candidate for reward
belonged, or other incontestable proofs and upon
granting it, the name and regiment of the per-
son with the action so certified are to be en-
at the orderly Office.
MEN who have merited this last distinction
to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels
which officers are permitted to do.
1.-The road to glory in a patriot army and
free country is thus open to all-this order is
also to have retrospect to the earliest stages
of the war; and to be considered as perma-
nent one"
So far as it has been possible to learn, the
only names ever written in the book of merit"
and the only men empowered to wear the Pur-
Die Heart badge were three sergeants in the
Continental army-all from the state Of Con-
necticut. They were Sergt. Elijah Churchill Of
the Second Continental Dragons, Sergt. Daniel
Brown Of the Fifth Connecticut regiment and
Sergt Daniel Bisse Of the Second Connecticut
regiment The original citation of Sergeant
Churchill's exploits which won him this award
is preserved in the Library of Congress and
states that "Sergt. Churchill of the End. Regi-
ment of Light Dragons in the several enter
prises against Fort st. George and Fort SlongO
on Long Island acted a very conspicuous and
singularly meritorus part, in that at the head
Of each body Of attack he not only acquitted
himself with great gallantry, frmness and adj
dress but that the surprise in one instance and