GAR 42nd ENCAMPMENT NY 1908/9 MEDAL HARLAN J. SWIFT MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT

  

We are offering a G. Medal for the 42nd Annual Encampment - Department of New York (which is imprinted on the back along with the McKinley Monument).

The medal has a depiction of Harlan J. The medal hangs on a ribbon on which is printed "Convention Hall Buffalo, NY", above which is a pin bar that says "Delegate", which hangs from a "Buffalo" pin. The date on the ribbon says 190? - we are unable to see the last digit clearly as the ribbon is sort of wrinkled at that spot. We assume it was either 1908 or 1909 which would be about right for the 42nd Annual Encampment Convention.

The medal, up to the tips of the eagle wings, measures 2 1/2"; the entire piece up to the top of the buffalo measures 4 1/4". NOTE - From what we have read, Swift, who was in Co.

2nd New York Mounted Rifles, enlisted as a private in January 1864 in Buffalo, NY, was commissioned as a Sergeant and quickly promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in February. In July of 1864, during a Union charge at the Siege of Petersburg, he singlehandedly captured four retreating Confederate infantrymen which earned him the Medal of Honor. Swift was promoted to 1st Lieutenant the following October, and then to Captain in January 1865.