MASSACHUSETTS MINUTEMEN MEDAL OF SERGEANT JAMES W. STANLEY, COMPANY B, 3rd BATTALION, MASS. RIFLEMEN

$325.00

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Item Code: 844-22

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Authorized in 1902, these two-piece bronze medals consists of a rectangular pin-back bar reading “MASSACHUSETTS MINUTE MEN OF 1861” and a circular drop with the  Seal of the State of Massachusetts at center of the obverse and the reverse reading,  “THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA WHO WERE MUSTERED INTO THE UNITED STATES SERVICE IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S FIRST CALL FOR TROOPS APRIL 15, 1861.”

Approximately 3,800 of these were struck, stamped on the rim with the soldier’s name, rank, and unit and available for the veterans and family members. This one is marked, “JAMES W. STANLEY, SGT. B. 3d. BTN. RFN,” indicating his membership in Company B of the 3rd Battalion of Riflemen. The battalion was activated on April 18, 1861. Company B, The Holden Rifles, had been organized in 1856. They received orders at 11:00 a.m. and were on their way to join the battalion at Worcester by 4:00 p.m. James W. Stanley was an 18-year-old student, born in Rochester, NY., and is recorded as enlisting a private on April 19.  The unit, three companies strong, moved to New York the next day, April 20, and went from there to Annapolis, MD, serving there until May 2, when they moved to Baltimore and were assigned to garrison Fort McHenry. So great was the rush to get them south that the unit was not officially mustered into U.S. service until May 19 after a fourth company joined them on May 5 and they were up to strength. Civil War Soldiers and Sailors lists 353 men on their roster. Stanley was promoted to Sergeant on June 1, 1861, but was taken ill with Typhoid about two weeks later, and discharged on a surgeon’s certificate of disability on July 2. We do not see any subsequent service for him, but the name is not uncommon.

The condition of the medal is very good, with nice bronze tone, crisp die work, and pin in place on the reverse of the top bar.  [sr][ph:L]

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