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Medal Name: Taking of Stony Point
Struck for: Brigadier-General Anthony Wayne
Approval: Act of Congress July 26, 1779
OBVERSE
ANTONIO WAYNE DUCI EXERCITUS COMITIA AMERICANA. (The American Congress to General Anthony Wayne)
America, personified as an Indian queen, standing, and having at her feet a bow, an alligator, and the American shield, presents to General Wayne a laurel and a mural crown.
Gatteaux
REVERSE
STONEY-POINT EXPUGNATUM. (Stony Point carried by storm.)
The American troops carrying Stony Point by assault.
Six ships on the Hudson River.
Exergue: xv jul. mdcclxxix. (15 Julii, 1779: July 15,1779.) On the platform, gatteaux.
BACKGROUND
Anthony Wayne was born at Waynesborough, Chester County, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1745. He was educated in Philadelphia. In 1774 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Convention, and in 1775 was appointed colonel of a regiment under General Thomas in Canada, and took part in the engagements at Three Rivers and at Ticonderoga. In 1777 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general under Washington, and fought at the Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth.
On the night of July 15, 1779, he surprised and took Stony Point, on the Hudson River, for which gallant deed Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He afterward served in the South, occupied Savannah, July 11, 1782, and Charleston, South Carolina, on the 14th of December following, and retired to his estate at the close of the war. On April 3, 1792, he was appointed major-general and commander-in-chief in the war against the western Indians, and in 1794 gained an important victory over the Miami tribe of Indians.
He died at Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1796. In 1809, his son,Colonel Wayne, removed his remains to the cemetery of Radnor church, near Waynesborough, where the Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati caused a handsome monument to be erected to his memory. He was known during the Revolutionary War by the sobriquet of "Mad Anthony."
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to to General Wayne, to Lieutenant Colonel de Fleury, and to Major Stewart, etc.
In Congress Assembled
Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of Congress be presented to Brigadier-General Wayne for his brave, prudent, and soldierly conduct in the spirited and well-conducted attack of Stony Point.
Resolved unanimously, That Congress entertain a proper sense of the good conduct of the officers and soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Wayne, in the assault of the enemy's works at Stony Point, and highly commend the coolness, discipline, and firm intrepidity exhibited on that occasion.
Resolved unanimously, That Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury and Major Stewart, who by their situation in leading the two attacks had a more immediate opportunity of distinguishing themselves, have, by their personal achievements, exhibited a bright example to their brother soldiers, and merit in a particular manner the approbation and acknowledgment of the United States.
Resolved unanimously, That Congress warmly approve and applaud the cool determined spirit with which Lieutenant Gibbons and Lieutenant Knox led on the forlorn hope, braving danger and death in the cause oftheir country.
Resolved unanimously, That a medal, emblematical of this action, be struck: That one of gold be presented to Brigadier-General Wayne, and a silver one to Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury and Major Stewart respectively.
Resolved unanimously, That brevets of captain be given to Lieutenant Gibbons and Lieutenant Knox.
That the brevet of captain be given to Mr. Archer, the bearer of the general's letter, and volunteer aid to Brigadier-General Wayne.
That
Congress approve the promises of reward made by General Wayne, with the concurrence of the commander-in-chief, to the troops under his command.
That the value of the military stores taken at Stony Point be ascertained, and divided among the gallant troops by whom it was reduced, in such manner and proportion as the commander-in-chief shall prescribe.
Monday, July 26, 1779.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)