Médaille Militaire.—This, the French equivalent of the British Distinguished Conduct Medal, was founded in 1852 by Louis Napoleon, when President of the French Republic. It is of silver, 1 in. in diameter, formed of a close band of laurel wreaths, encircling on the obverse the gilt bust of Louis Napoleon, facing left, with his name in gilt letters on a blue enamelled band. On the reverse, the wreath encircles a narrow band of blue enamel which borders the gilt centre bearing the legend VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE. The medal is surmounted by the French eagle, with outspread wings, and is suspended by an orange-coloured ribbon with green edges. After the Crimea, Louis, who had then become the Emperor Napoleon III, presented this medal to 500 British non-commissioned officers and men who had distinguished themselves in the campaign. (See facing page [132].)
The Republican variety bears the female head symbolic of the Republic on the obverse and the legend REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAIS * 1870 *; on the reverse is the inscription VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE. The medal is connected with the suspender by means of a trophy of French arms. The medal illustrated was won in France during the war now waging, by the late Sergeant Hunt.
Turkestan.—For the campaign in Turkestan the Emperor Alexander II gave a small silver medal 11∕16 in. in diameter which bears on the obverse the Emperor's initial A in ornamental cypher, surmounted by the Imperial crown and II arranged between the legs of the initial. The reverse bears in the centre the date 1857-1858-1859 encircled by an inscription in Russian explaining that it was awarded for the success of arms in Turkestan. (See facing page [364].)
Garibaldian Medal, 1860.—This medal was given in 1860 to the Garibaldians in Sicily by the Municipality of Palermo, and distributed to the troops by Garibaldi, November 4th, 1860, in the square fronting the Royal Palace, Naples.
- SILVER MEDAL "FOR ZEAL," AWARDED BY NICHOLAS I.
- SILVER MEDAL FOR CAUCASUS, 1859-64.
- BRONZE CROSS FOR CAUCASUS, 1864.
- SILVER MEDAL FOR TURKESTAN, 1857-8-9.
- BRONZE MEDAL FOR POLISH INSURRECTION, 1863-4.
RUSSIAN WAR DECORATIONS.
On the obverse, within the words AI PRODI CUI FU DUCE GARIBALDI, is a spread eagle standing on a scroll, on which are the letters S.P.Q.P. Three stars below. All in relief. On the reverse, outside a circle of laurel leaves are the words MARSALA, CALATAFIMI, PALERMO. Within the circle, IL MUNICIPIO PALERMITANO RIVENDICATO MDCCCLX. A star is in the exergue. This is a small circular medal, 1⅕ in. in diameter, within a plain, raised double border, suspended by a silver loop and ring from a crimson ribbon, 1⅖ in. wide, with narrow yellow edges, on which is attached the Arms of Sicily in silver, bearing the words UNO DEI MIL.
Papal States Campaign, 1860.—This medal was given by Pope Pius IX to his troops, including the Irish Brigade of Volunteers, who served under Major O'Reilly against Garibaldi. It was issued in gold to officers, and in silver and white metal to privates.