Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Medal, Commemorative |
Catalog Number |
TRE2006.002.1406 |
Date |
1961-1965 |
Description |
Bronze medal. The obverse shows two African American infantryman advancing with bayonets fixed on a Confederate fortification under the Latin inscription "ferro iis libertas peveniet" ("Freedom shall Come by their own Steel.") The inscription near the bottom, "U.S. Colored Troops." The reverse legend "Distinguished for Courage" around an oak wreath enclosing "Campaign / Before / Richmond / 1864." |
Material |
Metal/Bronze |
Event |
Civil War Centennial, 1961-1965 |
Provenance |
Reproduction of the Army of the James medal. Believed struck during the Civil War Centennial, 1961-1965, when copies of a larger diameter and lower relief than the original were made. The original medal was issued by Unite States General Benjamin Butler to his African American soldiers to commemorate their bravery at the Battle of New Market Heights in the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign in September 1864. The original medal was generally in silver (although there were also a few rare bronze) and had a hole at the top from which they were suspended from a ribbon with a bar medal. |
Search Terms |
black soldiers USCT's Petersburg Campaign / Siege of Petersburg Battle of New Market Heights / Chaffin's Farm / Chaffin's Bluff |
Subjects |
African Americans Civil War, U.S. |