Letterpress broadside measuring 530 by 75mm. Old folds, some creases & a little tape residue. New York, Union Medal Company, 1862.
An excellent example of a company capitalising on the wartime time spirit of the Union States in the early years of the Civil War.
Featuring the portrait of General Winfield Scott (1786-1866), the medal was struck to commemorate the actions of the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers during the Baltimore Riots of 19 April, 1861. The broadside reads: "This Regiment was first and foremost in obeying their Country's call, and was largely instrumental in saving our National Capital from the grasp of the Rebels."
The immortal last words of Union soldier, Luther C. Ladd, who was killed in the battle, appear near the top - "All Hail! to the Stars and Stripes!" These are linked to Daniel Webster's words at the commemoration of the monument on Bunker Hill - "One Flag, One Country, One Constitution, One Destiny."
Much is made of the date 19 April which echoed the same date in 1775 being the first battle of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord. "The shedding of the first blood in the defense of each, occurring in the same month and on the same day of the month, is a coincidence or parallel that will live in History."
Furthermore, there is a lengthy (and frankly wonderful) section at the bottom - "Mysterious Coincidences and Parallels" - which endeavours to make a whole lot out of not much.
Rare: OCLC locates a single copy at LoC.
