Antique Civil War Medal, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, MOLLUS and Lapel Pin
Great, antique, circa 1865 civil war medal celebrating the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Short cloth red, white and blue ribbon with gold clasp holding a double sided gold and enameled star with the American eagle center on 1 side and a ?MOLLUS? symbol on the other. A serial number is displayed on the clasp 14936. Included is a small lapel pin made of cloth with a metal backing that reads, ?US Patent, 1888, France?.
Wells Howard Blodgett was born in Downers Grove Illinois on January 29,1839 to Israel and Avis Blodgett, one of the original founding families of the greater Chicago area. The family were staunch abolitionists, active members of the underground railroad and leading members in their community. Raised with a strong tradition of service to home and country led Wells to answer President Lincoln's call to arms in 1861, enlisting as a private in Company D of the 37th Regiment in the Illinois Volunteers. Following the Battle of Newtonia in 1862, Wells was sent with a single orderly to deliver Orders to Col. Hall concerning a change of plans in the next wave of fighting. While passing through a woods on the way, Blodgett and his orderly came upon 8 Confederate soldiers who had become separated from their company. Reacting quickly, choosing a bold move over certain death, both men drew their revolvers, yelled charge and burst from the shadows of the trees upon the confederate soldiers, who thinking the 2 men were backed by a large force behind them, promptly surrendered. Wells was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor and quick thinking. By 1864, he rose to the rank of Colonel (Missouri Infantry Regiment), becoming the youngest colonel in the Union army. Post Civil War, Wells settled in St. Louis, opening a law firm and eventually becoming the general solicitor and vice-president of the Wabash Railroad.