A Civil War General's Gold Medal - History in Your Hands
Zoins
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Sometimes, you run across something so cool that you just need to have it!
I’ve been a big fan of American history ever since I was a kid at the public library. I have to admit I read way more books about American history (many naval battles) than played with coins when I was young. I've also been a fan of gold medals award to those in the line of a battle, such as George Washington and Stephen Decatur, reading about the latter recently in the book "Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates".
So when I ran across the following, I did a bit of research and decided it needed to be in my collection.
General John Gibbon's Gold Medal Award
General John Gibbon
General John Gibbon was a general who fought in the Civil War and Indian Wars. He fought on the side of the Union though his father (Assayer of the Charlotte Mint) and brothers were on the side of the Confederacy. He attended West Point and wrote The Artillerist's Manual in 1859, used by both sides in the Civil War. He led brigades in various battles including the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Gettysburg. A hands on leader, he personally manned a piece of artillery at the Battle of Antietam. He was one of three commissioners for the Confederate surrender. He also participated in the Indian Wars that followed.
More at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gibbon
The Military Service Institution of the United States
The Military Service Institution was "a voluntary organization of officers of the Army for mutual improvement (the privileges of which are extended to officers of the National Guards of the States), fostered by Generals Sherman and Sheridan while they commanded the Army, and presided over by the senior major-generals, has now for many years been the constant means of widespread increase in the most advanced studies of the Science and Art of War." as described by Major-General John Schofield, commanding the Army in his 1892 Annual Report.
More at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Service_Institution_of_the_United_States
Essay Competition and Gold Medal Award
The Military Service Institution sponsored essay awards each year for the two best essays on topics of current military interest selected by the Council.
- First Prize. Gold Medal $100 and Life Membership.
- Second Prize. Silver Medal, $50 and Honorable Mention.
General John Gibbon won the award the first year,1880. The engraving looks like it was a 1880 that became a 1881. The Journal indicates that the award decision wasn't made until 1881. The Journal of the Military Service Institution has been digitized by Google Books and I was able to find references to the contest in Volume 1 and John Gibbon as the winner and a concept sketch of the medal in Volume 2 with excerpt pages below.
Of note, the medal says "The Indian question" but the Journal indicates the title was "Our Indian question"
The Essay
The actual essay was included in Volume 2 of the institution's Journal, starting on page 101.
https://books.google.com/books?id=BrRMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA101#v=onepage&q&f=false
Reference: The First Annual Contest in Journal Volume 1
https://books.google.com/books?id=QqpMAAAAYAAJ
Reference: The First Annual Contest Results in Journal Volume 2
https://books.google.com/books?id=BrRMAAAAYAAJ
A more elaborately formatted program description with a list of winners is available in later volumes:
Comments
Nice medal. Is this a giveaway? Count me in.
Great info! Thank you for sharing this bit of history and background on this beautiful medal 🏅
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Cool medal and great back story. Thanks for sharing.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
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That is beautiful. Thank you for the history behind it.
Now you need to find a copy of the winning essay.
The essays are supposed to all be published in the Journal and Google Books has digitized many of them so it should be easy to find. It’s on the list to find and read, but I haven’t had time yet. I’m working on publishing my first Kindle book now.
Something tells me that the answer to THE INDIAN QUESTION isn't a good one.
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
Great post and history.... I have an Army medal awarded during the Indian wars... Not gold though...Cheers, RickO
That is an excellent addition to your collection. I too have a soft spot for the gold medals.
I have bid on several over the years and lost because they just went to high.
And what a great write up.....very well done
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
It may not be. American history and indeed that of European expansion wasn’t kind to many indigenous people. There’s a reason why many don’t want to celebrate Columbus Day now.
Still, I think the essay may be worth finding and reading to understand the thinking back then. It may even be worthwhile updating Gibbon’s Wikipedia page after reading the essay.
Of note, John Gibbon’s father was assayer at the Charlotte Mint and the gold discovery was one of the major reasons for the Trail of Tears. It’s one reason I’m conflicted about southern gold.
Very nice hunk of history. Nice addition to your collection.
For those interested in reading the essay, it starts on page 101 of Volume 2 of the Institute's Journal which Google Books makes available here. I’ve added a link to the first post as well.
https://books.google.com/books?id=BrRMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA101#v=onepage&q&f=false
I took a brief look and it is sobering but I haven't gotten to the conclusion yet. Gibbon discusses the plight of the Native Americans and makes some judgements on the actions of the Settlers. He has sympathy for the Native Americans. I was curious about the perspective of a Union soldier who fought for the emancipation of the African Americans and it seems fitting.
While I have read some of the history of the Indian Wars, reading about it from a first person perspective is very different. It has a similar feel to the first person narrative of the movie Geronimo but with a much broader sense of time and scale, and of course, it's real, not a movie.
I enjoy pieces with a personal connection like this because it encourages learning more about our history.
Wikipedia has two photos:
Civil War
With Chief Joseph, leader of the Wallowa band of Nez Perce
Here's some information on Chief Joseph:
More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Joseph