found near old civil war encampment here in town

[detector77]

Hi all, detector77 here, it was a pretty good day AGAIN!!! found the usual assortment of wheats, 5 total, some clad just for jingle, and this AMAZING find, I believe this is a civil war era medal, found at a encampment here in town which is now a park, or was established as a park in the mid 1800's the medal states on top "We Did " with the crossed swords on the left, and crossed cannons on the right, since I am in Illinois This must be associated with the Union army of that period, enjoy and comments please.

 

[sidly]

Nice find, are both sides of the medal the same?

 

[pir81]

have you tryed cleaning it any more trying to make out faces probaly post cival war nice find

 

[JakePhelps]

Cool Finds

It could be some kind of reunion medal from after the civil war

 

[jeff of pa]

EXCELLENT FIND, 77 ;

CONGRATS !


Jeff

 

[Noodle]

I printed out a copy of the find, which is really unique. Good job! The faces are fairly clear. I have a "coffee table book" on the Civil War (massively huge) at my storage house. Will pick it up this weekend and see if I can put some names to the faces. That might determine what "We Did." Photographs were rather rare in those days, and when they got a good shot they used it over and over on money, statues, news articles, etc. Some of them look vaguely familiar, but I'm terrible with names. Shot in the dark, but I'll try. Sounds fun. -Noodle

 

[alwayslookin]

That is very cool relic....I agree that it is probably areunion medal. Could be pretty valuable.

Dave

 

[pickaback]

Picture on bottom looks like Joshua Chamberlain , a union officer that became famous at Gettysburg. From Maine, I believe.
pickaback

 

[pickaback]

Check out 1st photo in 3rd row.

http://www.mcmahanphoto.com/prco-civilwar.html

 

[lonewolfe]

Excellent piece!

HH

Lonewolfe

 

[Noodle]

Could be.... Head is shaped a little flatter, looks like. Could the one on the left be Robert E. Lee Strong resemblance. The one on the left and the top one look almost identical. I'll keep searching. Good site you sent me to. Thanks! -Noodle

 

[pickaback]

The distinctive, full mustache makes me think its Chamberlain. I initially thought the top one was U.S. Grant, but cannot be sure. With so many CW generals sporting facial hair, it is hard to tell.
p

 

[Mississippi Yankee]

What it appears you have found is some sort of GAR reunion item (?)

OUTSTANDING dig, regardless. I am envious.