July 29, 1862 (Wednesday): Medals of Honor

Original Configuration of Medal of Honor

No. 91. Washington, July 29, 1862.
The following resolutions, acts, and extract from acts of Congress are published for the information of all concerned:
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I.-Public Resolution-Numbers 43.
A RESOLUTION to provide for the presentation of "medals of honor" to the enlisted men of the army and volunteer forces who have distinguish themselves in battle during the present rebellion.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause two thousand "medals of honor" to be prepared, with suitable emblematic devices, and to direct that the same be presented, in the name of Congress, to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldierlike qualities, during the present insurrection. And that the sum of the sum of ten thousand dollars be, and the same hereby, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of carrying this resolution into effect.
Approved July 12, 1862.
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After Congress had earlier approved such a medal of sailors and marines, a similar resolution was approved on July 12, 1862.  Fifteen hundred and twenty-two would be issued during the Civil War.