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| Obverse of the first and Second class medals. |
May 14, 1861. |
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| Fort Sumter medal.--Third and Fourth class. |
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flag and the sovereignty of the Republic, by the attack on the fort.1 The second class, for presentation to the officers, was of the same design, but only four inches in diameter.2 The third class, three and a half inches in diameter, bore on one side the medallion portrait of Major Anderson, and on the other, Peter Hart raising the Stars and Stripes on the burning fort.3 This is represented in the engraving below.
The fourth class, for the common soldiers, was two inches in diameter, and the same as the third in design and inscription.
These medals were all of bronze.
The President of the United States gave Major Anderson a more substantial evidence of appreciation, by honoring him with the rank and
pay of a brigadier-general,
precisely one month after his evacuation of Fort Sumter.
At the earnest solicitation of Garrett Davis (Congressman) and other leading Kentuckians, he was then appointed to command in that State; but his terrible experience in Fort Sumter had prostrated his nervous system, and he was compelled to abandon active
service.
He was placed upon the retired list in the autumn of 1863, and the following year he was breveted a major-general.
We shall hereafter meet his gallant officers in high rank, and in the performance of noble deeds, during the great war that ensued.
1 On the portrait side were the words:--“Robert Anderson, 1861.” On the other side were the words:--“The Chamber of Commerce, New York, honors the Defender of Fort Sumter--the patriot, the hero, and the man.”
2 The same words around the portrait. On the other side the words:--“The Chamber of Commerce, New York, honors the Defenders of Fort Sumter--first to withstand treason.” This was for the officers.
3 See page 826. The inscription on this was precisely the same as on the second class. These were for the non-commissioned officers. These medals were designed and executed by Charles Muller, sculptor, of New York City. They occupied the artist and. several assistants during the period of five months.
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