Massachusetts Minuteman / SOLD

Massachusetts Minuteman – Inventory Number: IDE 166 / SOLD

Massachusetts Minuteman of '61Politicians in the North and the South expected the Rebellion to come to a quick close. The Yankee's had overwhelming resources, and the Rebels were certain '1 Confederate could whip 10 Yankees'. And of course, each side was certain they had right on their side. With that in mind, President Lincoln called for the raising of a volunteer army with enlistments of only three months. From April of 1861 into the post-war reunion years, these men were referred to as the Minutemen of '61. Massachusetts was one of several states that would issue a medal for these first enlistment volunteers.

The Massachusetts Minuteman Medal was manufactured by the US Mint and a late award not authorized until 1902. Gregory Ogletree, in his work on state awards, estimates 3,805 medals were struck. Each heavy bronze award is impressed on the rim with the soldiers name, rank, and unit.

Michael W. Valentine

Residence Taunton MA; 34 years old.

Enlisted on 4/30/1861 as a Private.

On 5/6/1861 he mustered into "G" Co. MA 4th Infantry

He was Mustered Out on 7/22/1861 at Long Island, Boston Harbor, MA

FOURTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA (INFANTRY) THREE MONTHS

     The 4th Regt. Mass. Vol. Mill "Minute Men," was summoned to Boston by Special Order No. 14, issued on the afternoon of April 15, 1861, from the office of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts.  Company F of Foxboro had offered its services, if they should be needed "at any point of our country," as early as January 10, 1861.  The 4th had the honor of being the first regiment to leave the State, entraining for Fall River en route for Fort Monroe on the afternoon of April 17.  For a month it formed a part of the garrison of Fort Monroe.  On May 27, it was sent to Newport News, where it was employed most of the time until its return to Massachusetts in fortifying Camp Butler.  On June 10, Company H and four other companies took part in the battle of Big Bethel.  Transferred to the village of Hampton July 3, on the 11th it marched to Fort Monroe, where on the 15th it embarked for Boston.  Arriving in Boston Harbor, it was mustered out at Long Island on July 22, exactly three months from the day of its muster into the service.

Three companies, K, L, and the Wightman Rifles, which had enlisted for three years and had joined the regiment in May, were retained in the service and became Companies A, C, and K of the 29th Regt., which was then being organized.

This example is in near mint condition with its original pasteboard box!

Inventory Number: IDE 166 / SOLD