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The Whitney Family of Connecticut
by S. Whitney Phoenix
(New York: 1878)
Transcribed by Robert L. Ward.
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Eighth Generation.
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New York City, a medal of solid gold, about two inches in diameter. The one presented to Mr. Duff bore the following inscription:
"A Tribute
of 'THE CENTURY' to
PRIVATE JOHN DUFF,
For a rare act of heroic devotion
in rescuing the body of
COLONEL PETER A. PORTER,
8th New York Cavalry,
From under the guns of the enemy,
Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864."
The reverse represents soldiers in the act of hearing the body of a fallen comrade from the field of battle. Each medal was accompanied by the following letter:
"Century Rooms, June 3, 1865.
"To Private JOHN MORRIS DUFF, Eighth Regiment New York Artillery:
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"'The Century,' an association of the literary men and artists of New York, admiring whatever is noble in character or action, has caused this medal to be prepared and presented to you.
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"Colonel Peter A. Porter, your late commander, our associate, was respected by us for his manly qualities, loved for his kindness and accomplishments, and lamented for his untimely but glorious death.
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"Your bravery and devotion in bringing his body from under the enemy's guns to an honorable grave, have won our admiration and gratitude.
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General Hancock, who was selected to present the medals, said:
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"It is a source of infinite gratification to me that I have been selected by 'The Century' to present you each with a golden medal, commemorative of the heroism displayed by you in rescuing from the sanguinary battle-field of Cold Harbor the body of your gallant and distinguished commander, Col. P. A. Porter, of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery, who had been killed while intrepidly leading his regiment to the charge against the enemy's works. This noble action was voluntarily performed by you under the close and deadly fire of the enemy, at the utmost peril of your lives.
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"I then had the honor to command the 2d Army Corps, to which your gallant regiment was attached; and I know full well the dangers attending the valorous deed, in the performance of which you exhibited the noblest qualities of the soldier. The records of battles scarcely present an instance in which assaulting columns approached so close to the enemy as did ours at Cold Harbor, without complete success; and probably not one in which
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