Seeking info on Gettysburg medal

banderse

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Apr 16, 2020
Hey guys, this is latest addition to my collection. I know it’s a medal given to NY Gettysburg vets for NY Day dedication. Anymore info on it? I know some have name engraved but mine does not. Any idea why? Thnx!

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Nice one. It was left up to the soldier if he wanted his name on it or not. When the state of NY ordered these (11,000) the soldier could pay a small fee to have it done on the rim. I have seen several that had a brass bar drop that was added under the Gettysburg Veteran with the soldiers name and unit.
 
Nice one. It was left up to the soldier if he wanted his name on it or not. When the state of NY ordered these (11,000) the soldier could pay a small fee to have it done on the rim. I have seen several that had a brass bar drop that was added under the Gettysburg Veteran with the soldiers name and unit.
Thanks! Pretty good shape...i was trying to find pictures of the dedication to put with it but don’t see any.
 
The first three days of July, 1893, were "New York Days" at Gettysburg. Not only the N.Y. State Monument (on July 2nd) was dedicated, but individual monuments to the 12th and 44th New York regiments, and the Excelsior Brigade monument in the Peach Orchard.
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I've seen photographs taken during those 3 days of veterans of the separate regiments at their specific monuments, but don't recall seeing one of thededication of the State Monument. There MUST be one somewhere.

Here's one of of the 108th N.Y. veterans taken on the 3rd:

You can read Harry Henry Potter's July 2 oration HERE.
 
The first three days of July, 1893, were "New York Days" at Gettysburg. Not only the N.Y. State Monument (on July 2nd) was dedicated, but individual monuments to the 12th and 44th New York regiments, and the Excelsior Brigade monument in the Peach Orchard.
I've seen photographs taken during those 3 days of veterans of the separate regiments at their specific monuments, but don't recall seeing one of thededication of the State Monument. There MUST be one somewhere.

Here's one of of the 108th N.Y. veterans taken on the 3rd:

You can read Harry Henry Potter's July 2 oration HERE.


Thanks for the picture.

My ggFather, David A. Carter, was with the 108th ( "The Rochester Regiment") from Antietam on until he was badly wounded in the trenches at Petersburg. At Gettysburg the 108th was posted in front of a battery from the 1st US Artillery in front of Zieglers Grove, exactly where their monument is. Out of 200 men engaged they suffered 102 casualties.

They took the brunt of the artillery fire meant for the battery, and then the Confederate line came within 50 yards of them before finally breaking. Those old boys in that photo were made of solid stuff.

And of course that is indeed the 108th monument behind them. I cant count the number of times I've stood right there.

I do know that Carter was there for the dedication but cant pick him out; there are 5 or 6 possibles, but the info says I can get a high res copy from the Rochester Public Library, which I will be doing momentarily.

Thanks again
 
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Thanks for the picture.

My ggFather, George A. Carter, was with the 108th ( "The Rochester Regiment") from Antietam on until he was badly wounded in the trenches at Petersburg. At Gettysburg the 108th was posted in front of a battery from the 1st US Artillery in front of Zieglers Grove, exactly where their monument is. Out of 200 men they suffered 102 casualties.

They took the brunt of the artillery fire meant for the battery, and then the Confederate line came within 50 yards of them before finally breaking. Those old boys in that photo were made of soild stuff.

And of course that is indeed the 108th monument behind them. I cant count the number of times I've stood right there.

I do know that Carter was there for the dedication but cant pick him out; there are 5 or 6 possibles, but the info says I can get a high res copy from the Rochester Public Library, which I will be doing momentarily.

Thanks again
He might not be there. The 108th monument was dedicated in 1888, the photo taken in 1893. If he was there in '93, he may well have had one of those medals himself.
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Buffalo Evening News, 5 September 1888
 
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Of more general interest, in trying to determine if my relative is in the photo (Washburn has him there at New York Day in 93), I came across a reference to the medals.

Apparently, at least some of them were not handed out at the event. Per a letter from one A.J. Zabriskie, an "engineer" with the New York Board of Gettysburg Monuments Committee dated August 1, 1893, to George Washburn who had written trying to make sure the medals were going to be available by the annual reunion on August 26:

Dear Sir,

Agreeable to your communication of the 26th ultimo, I have made a note to ship your medals before the 21st instant. We are discommoded very much by the mint at Philadelphia taking their own time in shipping our medals. I have also been under the necessity of returning many of them on account of defective workmanship, which together with the largely increased demand, not contemplated, has made us extremely short. However, we hope to be in good shape by the date named.


Also, the State of new York paid for round trip train transportation for all New York troops who participated in the battle. Board and lodging in Gettysburg was $1.25 a day. The "Board of Commissioners" asked that all veterans "appear in the uniform usually worn on Memorial Day.

Former AotP Chief of Staff Daniel Butterfield was the Grand Marshall of the parade.

Separate accommodations were available for "wives and lady friends" on request.
 
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