City of St. Louis Volunteer
Medal
Contributed by Patty Lewis
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This medal was issued by the citizens of St. Louis privately to veterans
who served in the war. Originally the citizens reception committee wanted
to provide a reception and meal for the returning volunteers, however it
was found that the soldiers were not returning as a large group, but as
small parties, and the many receptions and meals became impractical. The
committee's chairman, a Mr. Ellers, suggested that the committee supply
returning veterans with a commemorative medal instead. Another member of
the committee, Henry T. Mott, secured "copper" (likely bronze instead)
from the wreckage of the MAINE through a private firm and used the metal
for the medals. The medal originally was hung from "a gilded bar by a
small silk flag" and "backed by a white silk ribbon, which also has an
inscription denoting the object of the badge.
The obverse of the medal shows an image of President
William McKinley surrounded by a laurel wreath. The medal reads
"IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY ' WM. McKINLEY / WAR PRESIDENT 1898."
The reverse reads"PRESENTED BY THE CITIZENS OF ST. LOUIS [Space for
name] FOR PATRIOTIC SERVICES RENDERED AS A SOLDIER OF THE MISSOURI
VOLUNTEER IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN 1898. This particular medal shows that
it belonged to Edd. S. Couse, Company
F of the 2nd Missouri Volunteer
Infantry.
Lewis, Patty - images of the medal
"Medals for Missouri's Soldiers," St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St.
Louis, Missouri). March 11, 1899, p. 4.
"Receiving the Second Missouri," St. Louis Globe-Democrat (St.
Louis, Missouri). March 5, 1899, p 13.
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