Medals Of The Continental Congress

MEDALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

David D. Crippen LTC (CA) RET CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR MILITARY HISTORY

DEDICATION •

Thomas Crippen Connecticut Minute Men and Volunteers 1776 Company of Householders Town of Sharon. Berkshire County Regiment Massachusetts 1780 • Roswell Crippen Albany Militia, 9th Brigade, New York • John Crippen Albany Militia, 9th Brigade New York • Mathew Fuller, Captain, Plymouth Colony Militia, Surgeon General, Massachusetts Bay Colony Militia; King Phillips War

CREDITS •

AMERICA’S FIRST MEDALS; A collection issued by the U.S. Mint 1976

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MEDALS COMMEMORATING BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, BY Vladimir and Elvira Clain-Steffaneli, National museum of History and Technology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

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MEDALIC PORTRAITS OF WASHINGTON, 2ND Ed., Russell Rulau and George Fuld, Krause Publications.

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THE CALL OF DUTY Military Awards and Decorations of the United States of America, LTC John E. Strandberg and James Bender, R. James Bender, Publishing

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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MUSEUM COLLECTION, REVOLUTIONARY WAR. cr.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/revwar/inde/indenorthern/html

GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON BATTLE OF BOSTON OBVERSE: Washington’s Head, from a bust by Houdon. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the armies , the defender of liberty.

1732-1799

REVERSE: The evacuation of Boston by the British. The American Army in the distance. Washington in the foreground pointing out the fleeing enemy to a group of officers. INSCRIPTION: The enemy put to flight for the first time-Boston retaken, March 17, 1776. The Continental Congress, on March 25, 1776 adopted a resolution “That for a wise and spirited conduct in the siege and acquisition of Boston” A medal in gold be presented to General Washington.

MAJOR GENERAL HORATIO GATES VICTORY AT SARATOGA

OBVERSE: A bust of Major General Gates. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to Horatio Gates a dauntless general.

1729-1806

REVERSE: The enemy grounding arms; their commander presenting his sword to MG Gates, the American Army at shoulder arms. INSCRIPTION: The Safety of the Northern Department The enemy’s surrender on 17th of October 1777.

BG ANTHONY WAYNE STONY POINT OBVERSE: America prepares to award BG Wayne with a laurel wreath. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to the commander of the Army Anthony Wayne. REVERSE: The fort at Stony Point, when the Americans enter with fixed bayonets. INSCRIPTION: Stony Point conquered July 15, 1779

1745-1796

LIEUTENANT COLONEL FRANCOIS DE FLEURY STORMING STONY POINT

The Flagstaff Battery stormed by De Fleury On the walking tour of Stony Point

OBVERSE: Mars on the ruins of the fort treading on the British Flag and raising his sword over vanquished enemies. INSCRIPTION: A memorial reward for bravery and boldness. The American Republic presented this award to M. De Fleury a French Officer, who was first to scale the walls. REVERSE: The fort at Stony Point and enemy vessels on the river below it. INSCRIPTION: Fortifications, marshes and the enemy overcome. Stony Point taken by assault, July 5th 1779.

The medal was issued in silver. The dies reengraved by the U.S. Mint, 1880

MAJOR JOHN STEWART STORMING OF STONY POINT OBVERSE: America presenting the palm of victory to Major Stewart. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to Major John Stewart.

Medal issued in silver

REVERSE: Major Stewart at the head of his soldiers forces an abatis of trees protecting the fort, seen in the background. INSCRIPTION: Stony Point stormed– July 15, 1779.

The position at Stony Point attacked by Major Stewart as seen today

MAJOR HENRY LEE ATTACK ON PAULUS HOOK

OBVERSE: Bust of Lee. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to Henry Lee, Commander of a Cavalry Regiment. REVERSE: Inscription in a laurel wreath. INSCRIPTION: in spite of rivers, fortifications, he vanquished the enemy through skill and military bravery with a handful of men, he conquered through humane action those who had been subdued by the sword. In commemoration of the battle of Paulus Hook, August 19th 1779

CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES BONHOMME RICHARD vs. HMS SERAPIS OBVERSE: Bust of John Paul Jones. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to John Paul Jones. Captain of the Navy. REVERSE: Sea Battle between the Bonhomme Richard and HMS Serapis. INSCRIPTION: The enemy’s vessels captured or put to flight- Off the coast of Scotland, September 23, 1779

BRIGADIER GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN VICTORY AT COWPENS OBVERSE: America rests her hand on a trophy of arms and flags; with her right hand crowns General Morgan with a laurel wreath. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to the Commander of the Army. REVERSE: General Morgan

at the head of his army, puts the enemy to flight. INSCRIPTION: Victory, defender of liberty-the enemy put to flight, captured or slain at Cowpens, January 17, 1781.

OBVERSE: LTC Howard on Horseback,

sword raised pursuing and enemy soldier; Victory flying above with a palm branch holds a laurel wreath above his head. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to John Eager Howard, Commander of a regiment of Infantry. REVERSE: Legend contained in a Laurel Wreath. INSCRIPTION: By suddenly attacking the wavering lines of enemy, he gave an example of military gallantry in the battle of Cowpens, January 17,1781

LT COL JOHN E. HOWARD BATTLE OF COWPENS

Medal issued in silver

1752-1827

LT COL WILLIAM WASHINGTON BATTLE OF COWPENS OBVERSE: LTC Washington, at the head of his legion, charges and routs the enemy. Victory above his head, holds a laurel wreath and a palm branch. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to William Washington, Commander of a regiment of cavalry. REVERSE: Inscription in a laurel wreath. INSCRIPTION: Through a determined pursuit of the enemy with a small group of soldiers, he gave a distinguished example of inborn valor in the battle at Cowpens, January 17, 1781.

Medal issued in silver

1752-1810

MAJOR GENERAL NATHANIEL GREENE EUTAW SPRINGS

OBVERSE: Bust of MG Greene. INSCRIPTION: The American Congress to Nathaniel Greene an illustrious commander. REVERSE: Victory treading on the arms of the enemy INSCRIPTION: The safety of the Southern Department—The enemy defeated at Eutaw Springs, 8th of September 1781

PRIVATES JOHN PAULING, ISSAC VAN DER WAART, DAVID WILLIAMS CAPTURE OF MAJOR ANDRE KNOWN AS THE FIDELITY MEDAL OBVERSE: Flowering rosemary joined at the bottom with a bow surrounds a rococo shield. INSCRIPTION: FIDELITY REVERSE: Flowering Rosemary joined at the bottom INSCRIPTION: Love of country triumphant.

Each medal was inscribed: Presented By Congress to (initials of the recipient )

As one of the captors of ANDRE