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Civil War Emblems – Flags, Medals & Badges - including US and CSA national, regimental and battle flags; the 34 West Virginia Medal of Honor winners and some of their individual stories; the three types of West Virginia veteran’s medals; the VMI “For Valor” medal; Union corps badges; and both Union and Confederate veteran’s badges.

US_Flag35

The 35-Star U.S. Flag was officially used from July 4, 1863 to July 3, 1865, with the new 35th star representing West Virginia, which had been admitted to statehood on June 20, 1863. “Since the United States did not recognize any right of secession from the Union, the stars representing the eleven states of the Confederacy were never removed from the U.S. Flag.”

Credit – Adapted from Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Plate 75

VMI_Medal

Credit – Virginia Military Institute Collections

During the Battle of New Market, Virginia (May 15, 1864), Maj. Gen. John C. Breckenridge reluctantly ordered the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets from the reserve into battle to fill a gaping void in the Confederate line. The Corps solidly proved themselves in contributing to the Confederate victory that day. “To commemorate the heroic actions of the VMI Cadets, the Commonwealth of Virginia designed, struck and presented “For Valor” medals to each of the participating cadets. For those Cadets killed or mortally wounded in battle, medals were given to their next of kin. The medal present to Cadet Captain Samuel S. Shiver, Company C, who was originally a native of Wheeling, is now displayed in the Hall of Valor Visitor Center at New Market Battlefield State Park.”

Civil War Emblems – Flags, Medals & Badges - including US and CSA national, regimental and battle flags; the 34 West Virginia Medal of Honor winners and some of their individual stories; the three types of West Virginia veteran’s medals; the VMI “For Valor” medal; Union corps badges; and both Union and Confederate veteran’s badges. The 35-Star U.S. Flag was officially used from July 4, 1863 to July 3, 1865, with the new 35th star representing West Virginia, which had been admitted to statehood on June 20, 1863. “Since the United States did not recognize any right of secession from the Union, the stars representing the eleven states of the Confederacy were never removed from the U.S. Flag.” Credit – Adapted from Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Plate 75 Credit – Virginia Military Institute Collections During the Battle of New Market, Virginia (May 15, 1864), Maj. Gen. John C. Breckenridge reluctantly ordered the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets from the reserve into battle to fill a gaping void in the Confederate line. The Corps solidly proved themselves in contributing to the Confederate victory that day. “To commemorate the heroic actions of the VMI Cadets, the Commonwealth of Virginia designed, struck and presented “For Valor” medals to each of the participating cadets. For those Cadets killed or mortally wounded in battle, medals were given to their next of kin. The medal present to Cadet Captain Samuel S. Shiver, Company C, who was originally a native of Wheeling, is now displayed in the Hall of Valor Visitor Center at New Market Battlefield State Park.”
		Preview of Multimedia CD Contents Overview of the Civil War Creation of West Virginia Civil War places in West Virginia West Virginia Civil War personalities – both Union and Confederate Civil War battles & other military operations in which West Virginia soldiers participated West Virginia military units – both Union and Confederate West Virginia Civil War Soldiers’ Database (Sample) Civil War era music Civil War emblems – flags, medals and badges An extensive bibliography, entitled "For Further Reading"