VMI Cross of Honor
It’s been awhile but wanted to drop this gem for a very special day. I don’t currently own this but am looking to purchase it and I think it’s extremely cool and extremely rare. In the meantime, enjoy.
This is a VMI Cross of Honor. The Cross was awarded in 1904 to each of the 294 cadet participants (or their surviving family) in the Battle of New Market. The Battle of New Market occurred today, May 15, 162 years ago in 1864 as part of very beginning of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. In May of 1864, in coordination with Grant’s move to Richmond, 9,000 men under Gen. Franz Sigel moved up the valley. They were met by a patchwork force of 4,000 Confederates under former US Vive President John C Breckinridge. Breckinridge needed all the troops he could get so he called up the corps of cadets from the nearby Virginia Military Institute to join his army. Intending to use them only as reserves, Breckinridge was forced to commit them when a gap opened in his lines mid battle. Put into action, the cadets came under fire almost immediately. Moving forward they charged the Union line, breaking the Federals and capturing several cannon. At a cost of the lives of ten cadets, the corps helped turn the tide and win the battle.
These medals were struck in 1904 and given to former cadets or their families. This particular medal was given to Charles B Hundley. Charles was born in 1846 in Essex County. He entered VMI in March 1864 and participated in the battle. Hundley later joined the 43rd VA Cavalry, also known as Mosby’s Rangers. He survived the war and died in Fredericksburg on October 6, 1908, meaning he would likely have received the medal himself.