Medal - Civil War - Robert Anderson

Reverse

Central motif

Script: Latin

Lettering: THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NEW-YORK, HONORS THE DEFENDER OF FORT SUMTER-THE PATRIOT, THE HERO AND THE MAN

Comment

1861 Robert Anderson Medal. Bronze. 154 mm. An amazing six inch diameter medal honoring Robert Anderson, a Union Army officer who commanded Fort Sumter at the start of the Civil War. An 1825 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Anderson was born in 1805 near Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to the Civil War, he saw action in the Black Hawk War (1832), the Second Seminole War (1835-1842), and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).
During the Black Hawk War, he had the singular distinction of mustering Captain Abraham Lincoln into service, and later out of service. In the Mexican-American War, Anderson was wounded at the Battle of Molino Del Rey, one of the bloodiest engagements of the war.
Although his defense of Fort Sumter against the Confederate forces was unsuccessful, he became a national hero for his actions against the vastly superior numbers and guns of the Confederates. There were no casualties on either side during this opening battle.
The obverse of this medal depicts a profile of Anderson, facing right, with Robert left, Anderson right, and the date below. It is signed Muller F. in small letters below the bust. The reverse, also signed Muller F., carries the legend The Chamber Of Commerce, New-York, Honors The Defenders Of Fort Sumpter Patriot, The Hero And The Man, around a central motif.