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THBRARE UNITED STATES ARMY COLORED TROOPS MEDAL Mid-19th Century
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About Auction
LiveJul 24, 2025
Includes historic artifacts, weapons and militaria, marine art, European paintings, decorative art, Oriental rugs, Chinese export, furniture, folk art and more. Eldred's info@eldreds.com
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- Lot Description
RARE UNITED STATES ARMY COLORED TROOPS MEDAL
Mid-19th Century
Also known as the Butler Medal or the Army of the James Medal. Obverse depicts two Black soldiers in battle, with "Ferro iis Libertas Perveniet (Freedom Will Be Theirs by the Sword)" in ribband above and "U.S. Colored Troops" below. Reverse with "Campaign Before Richmond 1864" within a wreath and "Distinguished For Courage" around perimeter.
Provenance:
Discovered 20 years ago in a barn in Middleborough, Massachusetts.
Notes:
The Butler Medal was commissioned by General Benjamin F. Butler to honor the Black troops under his command for gallantry at the Battle of Newmarket Heights on September 29, 1864, part of the siege of Petersburg, Virginia.
Butler (1818-1893), a successful lawyer from Boston who became Commander of the Army of the James in May 1864, paid for the medals out of his personal funds. They were designed by Anthony C. Paquet and manufactured in silver by Tiffany in New York, and Butler himself noted they were a similar size and quality to the medals Queen Victoria personally distributed to distinguished soldiers of the Crimea. The Butler Medal was presented to nearly 200 Black Union soldiers.Condition
The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction.
- Shipping Info
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SHIPPING: We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of our Conditions of Sale. Arrangements to pick up or ship your purchases must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the close of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $5/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees. SHIPPING OF PURCHASES Shipping is not included in the purchase price. Eldred's is happy to help coordinate and recommend shipping agents. PICK-UP OF PURCHASES If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Items in this auction may be located at an outside storage facility, so please call ahead.
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