Southern Cross of Honor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Southern Cross of Honor | |
|---|---|
.png/100px-Southern_Cross_of_Honor_(front).png) .png/100px-Southern_Cross_of_Honor_(back).png) |
|
| Awarded by Confederate States of America | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | Loyal & Honorable service to the South |
| Status | Historical Military Award |
| Statistics | |
| Established | October 13, 1862 |
| First awarded | 1862 |
| Last awarded | 1865 |
The Southern Cross of Honor was a military decoration meant to honor the officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates for their valor in the armed forces of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. It was formally approved by the Congress of the Confederate States on October 13, 1862[1], and was originally intended to be on par with the Union Army's Medal of Honor.
The design for the face of the medal consists of a cross with a Confederate battle flag surrounded with a laurel wreath, with the inscription "The Southern Cross of Honor." On the back of the medal is the motto of the Confederate States of America, "Deo Vindice" ([With] God [As Our] Vindicator), and the dates 1861 1865. Post-War versions (starting in 1898) added the inscription, "From the UDC to the UCV." (UDC stands for the United Daughters of the Confederacy; UCV stands for the United Confederate Veterans.)
During the war, however, there were shortages of metals, and many medals were not minted or awarded. The names of these soldiers were, however, recorded in an Honor Roll and preserved in the Adjutant Inspector General's records.
While attending a reunion of Confederate veterans in Atlanta in 1898, members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy decided to produce the original medal. The medal was at this point authorized by the UDC to be awarded to any Confederate Veteran who had provided "loyal, honorable service to the South and given in recognition of this devotion."[2]
Although no Civil War veterans are still living, the last having died in 1959, Virginia Code section 18.2-176(b) remains in effect and makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $500, to "wear any Southern Cross of Honor when not entitled to do so by the regulations under which such Crosses of Honor are given."
Contents |
[edit] Grave Markers
The Southern Cross of Honor is also used as a symbol on the graves of Confederate Veterans who served honorably. It can take two different forms which can sometimes both be seen on the same soldier's grave.
One form is an outline of the Southern Cross engraved on the actual gravestone of the veteran[3]. This symbol is still available to be placed as an optional symbol of belief on a U.S. Veterans Administration issued gravestone[4]. This symbol will only be issued by the V.A. to be placed on the grave of a Confederate Veteran[5]. The symbol is also available to be placed on existing gravestones by some private monument companies and stone carvers.
The second form of the Southern Cross of Honor seen on Confederate graves is a two-sided, cast iron replica of the medal[6]. This cross stands atop a metal rod placed into the ground at the veteran's grave. It is sometimes referred to as the "Iron Cross of Honor" or "SCV Iron Cross". The cross is typically placed on Confederate graves by local chapters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans or by family members or interested parties related to the Confederate Veteran. The iron cross version of the SCH is available for purchase through several SCV chapters as well as several private foundries throughout the United States[7]. The grave of any Confederate Veteran who served honorably is eligible for placement of this symbol.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ancestry.com - The Southern Cross of Honor
- ^ United Daughters of the Confederacy website
- ^ Military Grave Markers « Cemeteries and Cemetery Symbols
- ^ Veterans Administration available symbols
- ^ Veterans Administration on Confederate graves
- ^ Mitchell, Michael, "Sons of Confederate Veterans Handbook for Grave Etiquette, Conservation and Preservation", Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., 2002, p.14.
- ^ SCV Iron Cross Merchant
