At an elaborate 1848 Charleston ceremony, enlisted men from the Charleston Company of the Palmetto Regiment were promised medals as “testimonials from the City Council of Charleston of their high respect for your bravery and good conduct” during the Mexican War. The following year, the city made good on its promise. One of those rare silver medals can now be seen at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia.
While overshadowed by the Civil War, the two-year Mexican War, 1846-1848, greatly changed the course of history for the United States. “Many people, including many from South Carolina, were looking westward for land,” said Fritz Hamer, chief curator of history at the State Museum. “As a result of the Mexican War, the United States acquired a vast territory which includes the modern states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.”
The silver medal, on long-term loan to the State Museum, bears the seal of the City of Charleston on the obverse (front). The reverse (back) shows a soldier with the Palmetto flag scaling the walls of Mexico City. It was issued to Pvt. William Gillison, who was born in Beaufort, but lived much of his life in Charleston.
“While it was rare during this period for soldiers to receive medals as mementoes of their military service, today these medals are even more rarely seen,” added Hamer. “Interestingly, New York City was the only other community in the nation to create medals for its troopers who served in Mexico.
“The medals were handed down to family members but over years many medals were lost or sold, so the Museum is fortunate to have this one to exhibit.”
The State Museum is interested in talking with individuals who may have other examples of this medal or other medals from this war, added Hamer. “The museum would like to document and photograph all existing medals. These types of medals are an important link to the military legacy of our state.”
For more information on military medals contact Fritz Hamer at (803) 898-4942.
This rare silver medal was awarded to Pvt. William Gillison of the Charleston
Company of the Palmetto Regiment for bravery during the Mexican War. The front
(observe) bears the seal of the City of Charleston. The medal can now be seen on the
history floor of the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia.
Photo by Susan Dugan/courtesy S.C. State Museum.
The reverse (back) of this rare silver medal shows a soldier with the Palmetto flag
scaling the walls of Mexico City. It was given to Pvt. William D. Gillison of the
Palmetto Regiment for bravery during the Mexican War (1846-48). All the enlisted men
received silver medals. The medal was recently loaned to the South Carolina State
Museum in Columbia and can be seen on its history floor.
Photo by Susan Dugan/courtesy S.C. State Museum.