G.A.R. Medal / Token

[GaRebel1861]

I was out today despite the wet and cool weather down here in Southwest Georgia hunting a field where an old home site once stood. It is a typical site with broken glass and scattered red brick that has produced a few coins and Civil War era buttons. I really wasn't having much luck with any good finds until I dug this token or medal. It was covered with mud and I thought at first look it was a bent large cent. It wasn't until I got back to the truck and washed it off that I saw it wasn't a coin at all but rather some type of G.A.R. token / medal. I had to wonder how a Grand Army of the Republic token or medal got so far into the deep south. I guess people moved and traveled around after the war. The object as you can see is in very poor shape and this is what I can make out;

The front has the heads of two people on it with 32nd written above them to the left. Across the bottom it appears to read " Our Heros" Cincinnati.
The back reads "22nd National G.A.R. September 10th 1898 Cincinnati O.

There maybe more wrtting on that I can't see. I sure wish the plow had missed this one. I've been looking on line but cannot find a match. Can anyone tell me anything more about this item?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[wayfas4u]

found a tidbit of info, still searching

The Center for Civil War Research

5-10 September 1898
Cincinnati, Ohio
Thirty-second National GAR Encampment
Attended by members of John Morgan’s Kentucky Cavalry, CSA and the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, USA

 

[GaRebel1861]

I got home and under better light and with a magnifying glass found the word "encampment" on the top front.

 

[Bramblefind]

I haven't been able to find a match for that obverse yet but the reverse seems to match this one-

NeoCollect - Encampment Medals

 

[Bramblefind]

I think this describes the obverse - which may help to track it down but I haven't been able to find it yet. It is Admiral Dewey, Schley & Sampson and "OUR HEROES" underneath.

https://books.google.com/books?ei=V...+cincinnati&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=heroes

 

[Rmeav8r]

First of all, nice find! I live in Lynn Haven, Florida ( NW FL, Panama City, FL area). Lynn Haven was founded by Union Veterans around the turn of the century. There have been quite a few GAR medals and tokens found here. The only Union Memorial south of the Mason Dixie Line is right here in Lynn Haven!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Nice find. Looks like you got your ID. I hope to get out on a hunt with you soon.

 

[GaRebel1861]

DFXScout, I did not know that about Lynn Haven. Interesting. I've hunted in Bay County years ago but never found anything all that old.

 

[Rmeav8r]

DFXScout, I did not know that about Lynn Haven. Interesting. I've hunted in Bay County years ago but never found anything all that old.

GaReb, yes Lynn Haven was the "Yankee Settelment" in what was then part of Washington County. The statue was put next to where the GAR Hall had stood, it burned a few years before the statue went up in 1920. Several dozen of the original GAR settlers homes are still scattered around town. Let me know if your down this way and I will show you around town.

Scout

 

[GaRebel1861]

Thanks Scout. I may take you up on that offer. I was stationed a Fort Rucker Alabama in the late 1980s and would come down there to metal detect the beach after Spring Break. So, I doubt I was in the right spot for older items.