Leather Medal of Honor Case, 1897-01-23

Item — Box: 23.1, Object: 2

Identifier: GA.BH.23.1.2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Michael Dougherty Collection includes documents, personal letters, and artifacts related to the life and military service of Private Michael Dougherty of Company B, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Dougherty was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Civil War, specifically for his actions at the Battle of Jefferson, Virginia, in 1863. The collection documents his experiences as a prisoner of war in Andersonville and other Confederate prisons, highlighting the challenges faced during his 23 months of captivity.

Among the items in the collection are two Medal of Honor certificates, the first from 1897 and a reissue from 1927, as well as Dougherty’s medals, letters, diaries, and official documents, including his naturalization and pension certificates. The collection also includes a letter documenting his participation in the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Dates

1897-01-23

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library (archive@grundylibrary.org) for information about accessing this collection.

Biographical / Historical

This leather case, lined with silk, is believed to have originally housed Michael Dougherty’s 1897 Medal of Honor. Dougherty (1844–1930). The exterior shows significant wear, with visible discoloration and scuffing. The interior silk lining is heavily stained and shows signs of age-related deterioration, particularly at the edges.