The Civil War Campaign Medal

The Civil War Campaign Medal: Army Version

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Established: 1905
Country: United States

The Civil War Campaign Medal was awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who had served in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865 and is considered the first campaign service medal of the United States Armed Forces.

The medal was first authorized in 1905 for the fortieth anniversary of the Civil War’s conclusion by the United States War Department on January 21, 1907, by General Orders Number 12. To qualify, a soldier had to serve between April 15, 1861, and April 9, 1865.

The Civil War Campaign Medal No. 1 was issued to Maj. Gen. Charles F. Humphrey on May 26, 1909.

The Civil War Campaign Medal Design

The blue and grey ribbon denotes the respective uniform colors of the U.S. and Confederate troops. The medal was originally established as a badge, because Congress would not approve a medal due to the costs involved.

The Civil War Campaign medal was designed by Francis D. Millet, a noted sculptor who perished on the RMS Titanic in 1912. The medal was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

The obverse of the Army Civil War Campaign Medal displayed an engraved image of Abraham Lincoln. The Navy and Marine Corps versions depicted the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia‘s battle at Hampton Roads. In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the head of Lincoln surrounded by the raised inscription, WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE WITH CHARITY FOR ALL.

The reverse has the words “The Civil War 1861-1865” encircled by a wreath composed of a branch of oak on the left and a branch of laurel on the right, joined at the base by a bow. In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the words are carved over a bar, under which appear the dates 1861-1865. The oak represents the strength of the United States and the laurel represents victory.