Union. Massachusetts First Defender Medal. Bronze. Awarded to Henry Matthews.
38 mm. 38.4 grams. Hanger with brooch reading MASSACHUSETTS / MINUTE MEN 1861. Attached by suspension ring is the medal, the obverse showing the State Seal of Massachusetts, an Algonquin Native American holding a bow and arrow, with the State motto ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE QUIETEM ("By the sword we seek peace, but only under liberty") below. The reverse carries the words: THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS / TO THE / MEMBERS OF THE / MASSACHUSETTS / VOLUNTEER MILITIA / WHO WERE MUSTERED / INTO THE UNITED STATES / SERVICE IN RESPONSE TO / PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S / FIRST CALL FOR / TROOPS / APRIL 15, 1861. Around the edge is printed HENRY MATTHEWS, CORPL. A. 3D. BTN. RFN. Henry Matthews of Worcester, Massachusetts was born in England in 1828 and enlisted April 19, 1861 as a corporal. He mustered into A Company of the Massachusetts 3rd Rifles. He was promoted to sergeant in October 1861, and was assigned to D Company of the Massachusetts 25th Infantry. He was transferred to G Company in July 1862 as a second lieutenant and was further promoted to first lieutenant in January 1863. Matthews was killed in action on June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia. He had been married to Sarah prior to the war. With some research into the soldier history of Henry Matthews, as well as a regimental history of the 3rd Battalion of Rifles, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.

Estimate: $200