Gillmore Medal
Encyclopedia
The Gillmore Medal is a military decoration of the United States Army
which was first issued on October 28, 1863. The medal is named after Maj. Gen.
Quincy A. Gillmore who commanded Union troops attempting to seize Fort Sumter
in 1863 during the American Civil War
.
Also called the Fort Sumter Medal, the Gillmore Medal commemorates the men who served in the fighting around Charleston, South Carolina
, in 1863 and was presented to all Union soldiers who had served under General Gillmore’s command. The medal was pinned to the front of a military jacket from a swivel with no attached ribbon.
Since the Gillmore Medal was issued on the local authority of General Gillmore, it was considered an unofficial decoration by the United States Army, but was permitted for wear on a military uniform. In 1905, with the creation of the Civil War Campaign Medal
, the Gillmore Medal was declared obsolete.
One such medal was awarded to Albert York (commanding Co. I 100th New York
Volunteers) for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct for his participation in the Battle of Morris Island in April of 1863. These medals are extremely rare because they are usually coveted by the living heirs and rarely come up for sale.
Published: March 30, 1864
From the Palmetto Herald.
The Hilton Head and Beaufort papers of March 24, have the following items:
It will be remembered that after the reduction of Fort Wagner and the demolition of Fort Sumter, last Fall, Gen. GILLMORE announced that medals of honor would be presented to such enlisted men as had especially distinguished themselves by gallant conduct during the siege. They have been struck, and samples are already here, though the entire number will scarcely be ready for delivery sooner than two or three weeks. There are about five hundred candidates (500) for the honor, each of whom will have his name neatly engraved on the buckle to which the medal is attached. The medal itself is of bronze, about the size of the silver dollar of blessed memory, and bears upon its obverse in bold relief, a very accurate representation of Fort Sumter at the termination of the first bombardment, taken from an original drawing by Mr. W.T. CRANE, with the legend "Fort Sumter, Aug. 23, 1863," the whole encircled by a border of stars. Upon the reverse in this inscription, in raised letters: "For gallant and meritorious conduct. Presented by Q.A. GILLMORE, Major-General." The name of Gen. GILLMORE is a fac simile of his autograph. The medals are beautiful in design, and are very neatly and carefully made. They come from the establishment of BALL, BLACK & Co., New-York City.
here is the link to the article
http://www.nytimes.com/1864/03/30/news/department-south-affairs-hilton-head-beaufort-medals-honor-c-medals-honor-new.html?pagewanted=1
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
which was first issued on October 28, 1863. The medal is named after Maj. Gen.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Quincy A. Gillmore who commanded Union troops attempting to seize Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :...
in 1863 during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Also called the Fort Sumter Medal, the Gillmore Medal commemorates the men who served in the fighting around Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, in 1863 and was presented to all Union soldiers who had served under General Gillmore’s command. The medal was pinned to the front of a military jacket from a swivel with no attached ribbon.
Since the Gillmore Medal was issued on the local authority of General Gillmore, it was considered an unofficial decoration by the United States Army, but was permitted for wear on a military uniform. In 1905, with the creation of the Civil War Campaign Medal
Civil War Campaign Medal
The Civil War Campaign Medal is considered the first campaign service medal of the United States military. The decoration was awarded to members of the United States military who had served in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.-Establishment:...
, the Gillmore Medal was declared obsolete.
One such medal was awarded to Albert York (commanding Co. I 100th New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Volunteers) for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct for his participation in the Battle of Morris Island in April of 1863. These medals are extremely rare because they are usually coveted by the living heirs and rarely come up for sale.
See also
- Awards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
Published: March 30, 1864
From the Palmetto Herald.
The Hilton Head and Beaufort papers of March 24, have the following items:
It will be remembered that after the reduction of Fort Wagner and the demolition of Fort Sumter, last Fall, Gen. GILLMORE announced that medals of honor would be presented to such enlisted men as had especially distinguished themselves by gallant conduct during the siege. They have been struck, and samples are already here, though the entire number will scarcely be ready for delivery sooner than two or three weeks. There are about five hundred candidates (500) for the honor, each of whom will have his name neatly engraved on the buckle to which the medal is attached. The medal itself is of bronze, about the size of the silver dollar of blessed memory, and bears upon its obverse in bold relief, a very accurate representation of Fort Sumter at the termination of the first bombardment, taken from an original drawing by Mr. W.T. CRANE, with the legend "Fort Sumter, Aug. 23, 1863," the whole encircled by a border of stars. Upon the reverse in this inscription, in raised letters: "For gallant and meritorious conduct. Presented by Q.A. GILLMORE, Major-General." The name of Gen. GILLMORE is a fac simile of his autograph. The medals are beautiful in design, and are very neatly and carefully made. They come from the establishment of BALL, BLACK & Co., New-York City.
here is the link to the article
http://www.nytimes.com/1864/03/30/news/department-south-affairs-hilton-head-beaufort-medals-honor-c-medals-honor-new.html?pagewanted=1