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  • name:"Butler, Benjamin Franklin"
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  • Army of the James Medal

    Created by
    United States Mint, American, founded 1792
    Commissioned by
    Gen. Butler, Benjamin Franklin, American, 1818 - 1893
    Designed by
    Paquet, Anthony C., German, 1814 - 1882
    Date
    1864
    On View
    Community/Third Floor, 3 053
    Exhibition
    Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
    Medium
    silver and silk (textile)
    Dimensions
    H x W: 5 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (14 x 4.1 cm)
    Title
    Butler medal
    Caption
    After the battle of New Market Heights, Gen. Benjamin F. Butler commissioned a medal of honor to be awarded to African American soldiers for bravery. Officially known as Army of the James Medals, these are the only U.S. medals designed specifically for African American troops.
    Description
    The medal was designed by Anthony C. Paquet, whose name is inscribed on the obverse, and realized in silver by the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The medal consists of a silver medallion suspended from a silver ring fixed to a silver eagle-claw-covered ball and loop, through which a red, white and blue stripped grosgrain ribbon (most likely silk) was treaded, in turn suspended from an oak-leaf-decorated silver pin.
    The obverse of the medallion depicts a bastion fort being charged upon by a pair of musket-bearing African-American soldiers. The Latin inscription “FERRO IIS LIBERTAS PERVENIET” (freedom will be theirs by the sword) is in raised letters on a banner around the upper part of the medallion, and “US COLORED TROOPS” is in raised letters below the image. The reverse is decorated with an oak leaf wreath tied with a bow at bottom center, raised lettering reading “DISTINGUISHED FOR COURAGE” around the perimeter, and raised lettering reading “CAMPAIGN FOR RICHMOND 1864” in the middle. “ARMY OF THE JAMES” is inscribed in raised letters on the pin.
    Classification
    Awards and Medals
    Type
    medallions (medals)
    Topic
    Military
    U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of Irving and Estelle Liss
    Object number
    2012.37ab
    Restrictions & Rights
    Public domain
    Usage
    Not determined
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5238bddde-5eed-4ee4-b1e8-b5d79cb712d0
  • Butler Medal

    Manufactured by
    United States Mint, American, founded 1792
    Designed by
    Paquet, Anthony C., German, 1814 - 1882
    Commissioned by
    Gen. Butler, Benjamin Franklin, American, 1818 - 1893
    Date
    1865
    On View
    Concourse 3, C3 053
    Exhibition
    Slavery and Freedom
    Medium
    copper
    Dimensions
    Diameter: 1 9/16 in. (4 cm)
    Description
    An Army of the James Medal, also known as The Butler Medal, consisting of an unpierced copper medal with no suspender or attached ribbon. The front of the medal contains an engraved wreath of what appears to be holly with a bow at the center and a single five-sided star flanking the lower left and right side of the wreath. Around the outside of the wreath are the words, "DISTINGUISHED FOR SERVICE." At the center of the wreath are the words, "CAMPAIGN BEFORE RICHMOND / 1864."The reverse side of the medal is engraved with a depiction of a group of African American soldiers storming a Confederate occupied military fort. Surrounding the engraving are Latin words within an unfurled banner "FERRO IIS LIBERTAS PERVENIET." Below the engraving are the words, "U.S. COLORED TROOPS."
    Place made
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
    Classification
    Slavery and Freedom Objects
    Awards and Medals
    Type
    medallions (medals)
    Topic
    Military
    U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2011.155.307
    Restrictions & Rights
    No Known Copyright Restrictions
    Usage
    Not determined
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58da10fb0-67d8-435a-bfa3-8f736bc71a00
National Museum of African American History and Culture
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1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560

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