Southern Cross of Honor to Twice Wounded Confederate Officer J.A.W. Thomas Captain in Co. F, 21st South Carolina Infantry

Southern Cross of Honor to Twice Wounded Confederate Officer J.A.W. Thomas Captain in Co. F, 21st South Carolina Infantry - Inventory Number: CON 444

Named Southern Cross of Honor to a Confederate officer that was wounded twice in battle. J.A.W. Thomas is listed as a Captain in Co. F, 21st South Carolina Infantry. 

The Southern Cross of Honor was a commemorative medal established in 1899 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to honor Confederate veterans. At least 78,761 were awarded from 1900 to 1959. The top bar has the name “J.A. W. Thomas” beautifully inscribed, and patent markings on the reverse. Suspended from the top bar is the Maltese cross with a laurel wreath at the center encircling a Confederate battle flag. The points of cross read, "UNITED DAUGHTERS CONFEDERACY TO THE U.C.V." The reverse of the cross has another laurel wreath at center with "DEO VINDICE 1861" over "1865". Each point of the cross as a word finishing the phrase, "SOUTHERN CROSS OF HONOR.” Marking on the reverse that it was manufactured by Crankshaw of Atlanta, Georgia. A nice, identified example with a wonderful, uncleaned patina and great history. The medal is in excellent condition with nice patina. His unit was heavily engaged and has a great campaign history:

Here is an excerpt from- The Weekly News and Courier, (Charleston, SC) Wednesday, August 05, 1896: 

Titled: He was Once a Soldier of the Cross and a Soldier of the Confederacy

Bennettsville, August 3. --- Special: "The Rev. J.A.W. Thomas, the "Grand Old Man of Marlboro," is dead. He retired last night apparently as well as usual and was found dead in his bed this morning. He spent Saturday at the reunion of Confederate Veterans, and delivered an eloquent address describing the battle of Battery Wagner. He preached an able sermon in the Baptist Church at Tatum yesterday afternoon, and drove eight miles home. No one has ever lived in Marlboro who commanded more respect, esteem and love than Capt Thomas. He was born in this county more than 73 years ago, has lived here all his life, and has been pastor of churches here for more than half a century. He has kept a list of all he has married and buried since 1865. He had been writing a history of Marlboro County for several years. He was captain of a company in the 21st South Carolina regiment, Hagood's brigade. 

He was wounded at Drury's Bluff and Battery Wagner. On last New Year's Day a number of friends called at his home, and Judge J.H. Hudson, acting as their spokesman, presented him with a gold pen. Capt Thomas, replying, said that he had used the pen quite extensively in his life, for his prepared sermons would make seventy volumes of four hundred pages each and he had preached from 3,500 texts. He is the father of Dr. A.J.B. Thomas, of Greenville, editor of the Baptist Courier; C.P. Thomas of Florida; W.E. Thomas, of Bennettsville, (SC); Mrs. Loch McLaurin of Gibson, (NC); Mrs. J.R. Sampson and Mrs. D.D. McCall, of Bennettsville. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 10 o'clock. "

Comes housed in 6 x 8 riker display case with black velvet and descriptive card.

* To purchase this item directly by credit card, please click this link.

Inventory Number: CON 444