medal code J2089

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WEST VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR MEDAL ‘HONORABLY DISCHARGED TYPE, ‘ANDW LUNSFORD BATTY E 1ST REG LT ARTLY VOLS’

West Virginian was one of the few States that authorised such a medal to Union Army veterans, the medal being based on the British Crimea and Ohio veterans medal. Three different disc/suspension designs were issued, a) Honorably Discharged, b) For Liberty (died of wounds/sickness), c) Killed in Battle. Issued in 1866, in all 26,000 of these medals were minted, although a large amount were never claimed. They were all officially impressed with the soldiers details on the rim, in a similar style to British WW1 medals. These medals are often found minus their suspension.

Andrew Lunceford Enlisted as a Private Oct 1861, discharged as Veteran 25th May 1865

Battery E. West Virginia Light Artillery, known as the "Upshur artillery," was organized at Buckhannon, Upshur County, in Aug., 1862, to serve for three years. While at Buckhannon it was engaged against the Confederates under Gen. Jenkins before it was mustered into the U. S. service. With Gen. Kelley's division it was at Williamsport and North mountain in the summer of 1863, and participated in the engagements at Snicker's gap, Kernstown, Winchester, Bunker Hill, Berryville, and Martinsburg in 1864. It was mustered out June 28, 1865.

Condition. Mint, in original named box of issue. Scarce unit.

Code J2089        Price £345