Civil War Medals

During the Civil War, awarding medals to soldiers who had distinguished themselves in service to their country was a practice of both the U.S. government and the Confederate government.

The Congressional Medal of Honor was established during the Civil War by order of President Abraham Lincoln, who signed into law on July 12, 1862 a measure that provided for awarding a Medal of Honor “to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present insurrection.” This was the U.S. military medal for which all those enlisted in service were eligible. However, the medal that became the Congressional Medal of Honor differed greatly both in appearance and for the deeds which it could be awarded during the Civil War; by the end of the 19th Century, it was essentially considered a good conduct award that could be bestowed at will.

During the Civil War, there were actually two different versions of what is now referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor, one for the Army and one for the Navy. In fact, the Navy Medal of Honor actually predates the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the original Congressional Medal of Honor was modeled after the Navy Medal of Honor.

After the war, both Congress and the Grand Army of the Republic awarded medals to veterans of the Civil War. In 1907, the War Department authorized the striking of a special medal to be bestowed upon all living Civil War veterans of the U.S. Army or Volunteer units who had served between April 15, 1861, and April 9, 1865.

Financial difficulties prevented the Confederacy from bestowing many medals during the Civil War.

The Confederacy awarded only one medal during the Civil War, the Davis Guard Medal, which was awarded to the Davis Guards, a militia company originating in Houston, Texas, in gratitude for their participation at the Battle of Sabine Pass on September 8, 1863. The Confederacy did not produce the medal; rather, it was commissioned by the residents of Sabine City, who also awarded the medal, which was sanctioned by the Confederacy. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was given one of the Davis Guard Medals, and was carrying it when he was captured after the war.

However, several medals, including the Southern Cross of Honor, Confederate Roll of Honor, the Newmarket Cross of Honor, and other medals were awarded sporadically to Confederate veterans after the war.

Southern Crosses of Honor were bestowed upon Confederate veterans for “loyal, honorable service to the South and were given in recognition of this devotion.” This medal could not be purchased, the first being awarded to Captain Alexander S. Erwin on April 26, 1900, by the Athens Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy on April 26, 1900. Some 12,500 Southern Crosses of Honor awarded during the first 18 months after its inception.

Medals associated with the Civil War are highly collectible. Although those given during the war are most prized, those awarded after the war are also desirable.