Davis Guards Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Davis Guards Medal |
|
|---|---|
Obverse and reverse of the medal
|
|
| Country |  Confederate States |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Eligibility | Members of Company F (Davis Guards), 1st (Cook's) Texas Heavy Artillery Regiment; Second Lieutenant N. W. Smith, Engineer Corps; and Assistant Surgeon George H. Bailey |
| Awarded for | The defense of Sabine Pass, Texas |
| Campaign(s) | Joint Federal Expedition to Sabine Pass, Texas (September 7–8, 1863) |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1863 |
The Davis Guards Medal was a special award given to soldiers by the people of Houston. It was presented a few weeks after a big battle called the Battle of Sabine Pass on September 8, 1863. A priest named Father Quesart from Houston helped start the idea for this medal, gathering money from the community to make it happen.
Contents
History of the Davis Guards Medal
The Davis Guards Medal was given out by the people of Houston. This happened shortly after the Battle of Sabine Pass on September 8, 1863. The medals went to the brave soldiers of Company F, known as the Davis Guards. Other important people who received the medal were Second Lieutenant N. W. Smith and Assistant Surgeon George H. Bailey.
Later, Jefferson Davis, who was the President of the Confederate States, visited the area. The Davis Guards made another special medal just for him. This showed how much they respected him.
What the Medal Looked Like
The Davis Guards Medal was made from a Mexican silver dollar. Both sides of the coin were smoothed down. On the front, or obverse, the letters "D G" were carved. Below these letters was a simple cross shape called a cross pattée.
The back, or reverse, of the medal had an important message. It read "Sabine Pass" / "Sept. 8th" / "1863" in fancy writing. A thin line ran around the edge of both sides. Small lines extended from this border to the very edge. The medal also had a loop so it could be hung up.
Where to See the Medals
Today, only three of these special medals are known to still exist. You can see them on display in different museums. These include the American Civil War Museum, the Bullock Museum, and the Texas Military Forces Museum.
Who Received the Medal?
The Davis Guards Medal was given to the soldiers who fought bravely at the Battle of Sabine Pass. On February 8, 1864, all members of the artillery company also received a special "thanks of Congress."
Below is a list of the people who received the Davis Guards Medal:
- Patrick Abbott
- George H. Bailey
- Michael Carr
- Abner R. Carter
- Patrick Clair
- James Corcoran
- Hugh Deagan
- Michael Delaney
- Thomas Daughtery
- Jefferson Davis (Honorary)
- John A. Drummond
- Daniel Donovan
- Richard W. Dowling
- Michael Eagan
- David Fitzgerald
- Patrick Fitzgerald
- James Fleming
- John Flood
- William Gleason
- John Hassott
- James Higgins
- Timothy Hurley
- John Hennessey
- Thomas Hagerty
- Timothy Huggins
- William Hardin
- W. L. Jett
- Patrick Malone
- Thomas McKernon
- John McKeever
- Alexander McCabe
- Timothy McDonough
- Patrick McDonnell
- John McGrath
- John McNealis
- Daniel McMurray
- Michael Monoghan
- Richard O'Hara
- Laurence Plunkett
- Edward Pritchard
- Maurice Powers
- Charles Rheins
- N. W. Smith
- Thomas Sullivan
- Michael Sullivan
- Patrick Sullivan
- Matthew Walsh
- Jack W. White
- John Wesley
- Joseph Wilson
