MISCELLANEOUS MILITARY MEDALS.
Reading edition
A medal was struck by the Scottish Darien Company in 1700, to reward the services of Colonel Alexander Campbell, of Finab, and his surviving companions, for their services against the Spaniards in that unfortunate settlement. Campbell was an old soldier who had served in Flanders under William III. On learning the distressed state of the new settlers, Campbell was sent to Darien to take the command there. With two hundred men and forty Indians, he attacked and totally routed a body of one thousand six hundred Spaniards, at a place called Toubocanti. In spite of this success the colonists were compelled to surrender to the enemy, and Campbell, with a few others, were all that ever returned to Scotland. The Darien Council ordered a gold medal of the value of £16 to be struck for Campbell, and silver ones of the value of ten shillings for his companions. The medal was designed by M. Smeltzing. On the obverse, is Campbell with sword and shield, advancing to storm a fort in the distance, on a scroll above are the words “Quid non pro patria,” and in the exergue, “Toubocanti—Ubi 1600, Hispan. fudit, Dux Alexander Campbell, MDCC., 8 Feb., M.S.” Reverse, a shield with the arms of the Scottish African Company, above—on the scroll the words “Qua panditur orbis,” below, “Vis unita fortior.”
The Caribs, or natives of the Island of St. Vincent, West Indies, instigated by the French settlers, rebelled against the English in 1772, but, after a severe struggle, were reduced to submission by Major-General Dalrymple, Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, in February, 1773. The troops engaged in this campaign were the 14th., 31st., and 70th. Foot, and a strong force of local Militia and Volunteers. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Legislative Assembly voted that silver medals should be given to the local troops as a reward. The medal is of large size, having on the obverse the bust of George III. in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III. M.B. Rex.” and on the reverse, Britannia standing, with her right hand on her shield, and offering with her left an olive 641branch to a Carib, who has laid his gun and bow and arrows at her feet. Above are the words “Peace and prosperity to St. Vincents,” and in the exergue the date 1773. Worn with a red ribbon. For a subsequent war in the same island, in 1795, with the French and Caribs, a bronze medal was given to the native troops who took part in it. This has on the obverse a figure of Victory, with the legend “St. Vincent’s Black Corps,” and on the reverse a negro soldier with a musket.
During the American War of Independence, large and handsome medals in silver were struck and presented to the chiefs of the North American Indians, as rewards for their loyalty and good service to King George III. They were of various sizes, and with some were given silver chains for suspension. One of the largest bears on the obverse a laureated bust of George III., in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III., D. G. M. Bri. Fra. et Hib. Rex. F. D.” Reverse, an Indian and European sitting under a tree, with their hands clasped, and the Indian offering his pipe to his companion as a token of friendship. In the background are wigwams, and above, the words “Happy while united.” The loop for suspension is formed of the wing of an eagle and the calumet of peace, placed crosswise. Another specimen has on the obverse the bust of the King, and on the reverse the arms of Great Britain[230]; and another, of large size, with an obverse almost similar, bears on the reverse the British lion—reclining, watching a snarling wolf (America); in the background, is a church with trees.
To commemorate the long and successful defence of Gibraltar, 1779–1783, against the combined forces of France and Spain, a large medal was struck in silver. On the obverse is a bird’s-eye view of Gibraltar, with the words “Battering ships destroyed” in a scroll above, and in the exergue, “September 13th., 1782.” 642On the reverse is inscribed “By a zealous exertion of patience, perseverance, and intrepidity, after contending with unparalleled succession of dangers and difficulties in the defence of Gibraltar during a blockade and siege of almost four years; the Garrison, under the auspices of George III., triumphed over the combined powers of France and Spain”; surrounded by a wreath springing from a pedestal, on which reclines the British lion, holding a shield charged with a castle and key, and below which, in the exergue, is the inscription “Blockade commenced June 21st, 1779; siege terminated Feby. 11th., 1783.” This medal was not worn as a decoration, but another of smaller size was struck in silver by General Elliott, and given to the officers and men of the Hanoverian Brigade who took part in the defence. The English troops did not receive this medal, but specimens in gold were struck for George III. and the Royal Family. Obverse, a view of Gibraltar, besieged, with the Spanish fleet in the fore ground; above are the words “Per tot discrimina rerum,” and in the exergue “13th. September, 1782.” On the reverse, within a laurel wreath, are the names of the principal officers “Reden, Lamotte, Sydow, Eliott,” surrounded by the German motto “Bruderschaft.” This medal was designed by L. Pingo.
In 1794 a gold medal was given by Pope Pius VI. to twelve officers of the 12th. Light Dragoons (now 12th. Lancers) as a mark of his approbation of their conduct while stationed at Civita Vecchia. On the obverse is a bust of the Pope, with the legend “Pius Sextus Pont Max. A. XVII.” Reverse, a figure of Ceres, seated, with a cornucopia in her right hand, her left arm extended, and a wreath on her head; above are the words “Aero Pomptin Colonis Rest,” and in the exergue, the date “1791.” Two or three Naval officers also received this medal, which was originally struck to commemorate the restoration of the harbour of Civita Vecchia by the Pope, and not specially as a reward to the British officers.
A large and handsome gold medal and chain was presented by the Emperor of Germany, Francis II., on May 1st., 1798, to eight officers of the 15th. Light Dragoons, for the gallant conduct of the regiment at the action of Villiers-en-Couché, 643near Cambray, April 24th., 1894; by which the Emperor was preserved from being taken prisoner by the French. There were but two squadrons of the 15th. engaged, but they, with a small body of German Cavalry, attacked and routed several thousands of the enemy, and captured three guns. The medal weighs 4 ozs. 7 dwts., with a gold chain of the same weight. On the obverse is a laureated head of the Emperor, with the words “Imp. Caes. Franciscus. II., P. F. Aug.”; beneath the head is the name of the engraver, J. N. Wirt, F. On the reverse “Forti Britanno in Exercitu. Foed. ad Cameracum, XXIV. Apr., MDCCXCIV.,” with laurel branches beneath.
The officers who received the medal were, Major William Aylett; Captains Edward Pocklington, and Edward M. Ryan; Lieutenants Thomas G. Calcraft, Wm. G. Keir, and Thomas B. Blount; Cornets Edward G. Butler, and Robert Wilson.[231] Only nine medals were struck in gold, and one of these was deposited in the Imperial cabinet at Vienna.
In 1835 a body of English Volunteers, called the Anglo-Spanish Legion, commanded by General Sir de Lacy Evans, was raised by permission of the Government, for service in Spain, on the side of the Queen, Doña Isabella, against Don Carlos. A Naval force of seamen and Marines, under Lord John Hay, also took part in the operations on the north coast of Spain. A medal was given by the Spanish Government to the officers and men of the British Volunteers present at the action near San Sebastian, May 5th., 1836. The medal was made of white metal, or pewter; but the officers, on their return to England, in 1837, had a similar medal struck in silver for themselves, by Messrs. Loewenstark, of London. On the obverse is a lion, statant, surrounded by the collar of the Golden Fleece. Reverse, a Maltese cross, with crowns in the angles; in the centre within a wreath, the words “San 644Sebastian, 5 de Mayo, 1836.” It was worn with a dark purple ribbon with two yellow stripes.
About twenty officers and men of the Royal Artillery were given a small gold cross for their services at Bilbao in 1836, and a detachment of Royal Artillery and Marines received the Order of Maria Isabella Luisa.
The East India Company, in 1837, gave a medal to the chiefs of the loyal Coorgs, who had suppressed an insurrection in the Canara country. The two principal Dewans each received a gold medal and chain, valued at 400 rupees; twelve Subadars, medals valued at 200 rupees each; twenty medals, without chains; and ten, valued at 50 rupees each, were given to leaders who had distinguished themselves; and two hundred silver medals, without chains, of the value of 10 rupees each, were bestowed on the inferior leaders and distinguished Ryots. On the obverse is a Coorg warrior in a fighting attitude, surrounded by an inscription in Canarese, “For a Memorial of Fidelity to the Government of the East India Company, in suppressing disturbances during the months of April and May, 1837.” Reverse, a trophy of Coorg arms, suspended in a laurel wreath, surrounded by the words “For distinguished loyalty to the British Government, Coorg, April, 1837.” The medals were struck at the Calcutta Mint, and are two inches each in diameter, but of varying thickness.
General Sir H. G. Smith, commanding the troops in South Africa, in 1851, to express his approbation of the conduct of a detachment of Cape Mounted Rifles and colonial levies, presented each man with a silver medal. On the obverse is a lion, statant; above, a wreath of laurel; and below, in the exergue, the date “1851.” On the reverse, in raised letters, “Presented by His Excellency Sir H. G. Smith, G.C.B., to —— for gallantry in the field.” Ribbon: dark blue, with red edges. Only about thirty of this medal were issued.
By an Army Circular in 1869, a medal was instituted to be given annually, with a gratuity of £20, to the best shot in the Army. It was at first struck in bronze, but afterwards in silver. Only sixteen of these medals were issued, the last being given in 1883, when the system was altered. In the years 1875 and 1876 two medals were given, one to the best shot with the Martini-Henry, and the other to the best shot with the Snider rifle. Private G. Bryant, of the 62nd. Foot, won the medal and gratuity two years in succession, in 1870 and 1871. The obverse is the same as the Ashantee medal. The reverse, which was designed by E. J. Poynter, R.A., bears a figure of Victory rising from a throne on a pedestal, in the act of crowning an ancient warrior with a wreath of laurel; in his right hand is a bow, and in his left a shield transfixed with three arrows. The medal is worn on the right breast, with a red ribbon edged with black and white stripes.
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