The
Field medal is singular in nature because it was awarded twice, something
a little out of the ordinary for Congressional medals. Perhaps the
intrepid Field, for all the troubles he had gone through from the elements
and business rivals, deserved more than one medal.
After
the Congressional resolution of March 2, 1867, matters were to move rather
quickly. Joseph Goldsborough Bruff of the Treasury Department, who
prepared the original design, finished it by late July and within a few
days it was on the way to the mint. (He was Supervising Architect
of the Treasury Department at that time.)
Although
Bruff produced a fairly detailed drawing for his design, William Barber,
then an assistant engraver, asked for a sitting with Field in New York
so that the likeness might be as perfect as possible. In September,
1867, Barber went to New York and carefully sketched Field. Barber
returned quickly to the mint and began work on the proper models.
After
Barber's return matters moved with due artistic speed - that is to say,
slow. The models were reduced on the newly-arrive Hill Engraving
Machine, which had just been purchased from an English firm. This
was appropriate, as Field's cable linked Great Britain and the United
States.
The
dies were finished by late in April, 1868, and the first gold medal struck
about two weeks later, after all the lengthy preparations had been made. There was some delay also with respect to a proper case. On May 15th, 1868, the gold medal was sent to the Treasury and received
the next day by Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch.
J.J.
Knox, the Comptroller of the Treasury and a numismatist in his own right,
wrote the mint officials that "a slight defect on the knuckle of
the forefinger of the hand holding the wreath" had been found and
needed correction. For some unknown reason the medal was then put
in an obscure Treasury Department safe and forgotten.
By
late in 1868 Field had begun to wonder where his medal was and said as
much to those in a position to find out the reason for the delay.
The Treasury officials could not find the first medal and ordered another
one struck. This was sent to Washington on December 17th, 1868,
and duly presented to Field. The first gold medal seemed to have
vanished.
Suddenly,
in late March or early April, 1874, someone found the first gold medal
and sent it to Philadelphia for melting. Field received news of
his first medal being found, probably through the newspapers, and asked
to have it also. After a jeweler tested the first piece to make
sure it was pure gold, Field paid the government its gold value and received
the first gold medal. The value of the fine gold in the first one
was $553.90 (26.79 ounces).
The
Field medal went on public sale about 1869 or 1870. A number of
aluminum medals were struck in November, 1868, possibly in part for Field
himself.
Here is the official record of the transmission of the replacement medal to Cyrus Field, taken from Executive Documents Printed by Order of the House of Representatives during the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress 1868-69:
40th Congress, 3d Session. | House of Representatives | Ex. Doc. No. 89.
GOLD MEDAL PRESENTED TO CYRUS W. FIELD.
MESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
IN RELATION TO
The gold medal presented to Mr. Cyrus W. Field.
February 18. 1869.—Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I transmit to Congress a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents, in relation to the gold medal presented to Mr. Cyrus W. Field, pursuant to the resolution of Congress of March 2, 1867.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, February 17, 1869.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, February 17, 1869.
The undersigned, Secretary of State, has the honor to lay before the President, with a view to its transmission to Congress, the accompanying copy of a correspondence in relation to the gold medal presented to Mr. Cyrus W. Field in the name of the people of the United States, pursuant to the resolution of Congress of March 2, 1867. Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, January 21, 1869.
SIR: With this you will receive a letter addressed to Mr. Cyrus W. Field, which is intended to accompany a box containing a medal and a packet containing an engrossed copy of a congressional resolution, which, bearing the address of Mr. Field, have been sent to you to-day by Harnden's Express. You will take an early occasion to place the enclosed letter and its accompaniments in the hands of Mr. Field, and inform the department of their delivery.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
F.W. SEWARD.
J.C. Derby, Esq.,
United States Despatch Agent, New York.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, January 7, 1869.
SIR: Pursuant to the resolution of Congress of March 2, 1867, the President has caused to be prepared, for presentation to you, in the name of the people of the United States, a gold medal, with suitable devices and inscriptions, in acknowledgment of your eminent services in the establishment of telegraphic communication, by means of the Atlantic cable, between the Old World and the New.
This testimonial, together with an engrossed copy of the resolution referred to, is herewith transmitted to you by direction of the President. I am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
Cyrus W. Field, Esq., &c., &c., New York.
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES DESPATCH AGENCY,
New York, January 22, 1869.
SIR: Your favor of the 21st was received this morning, as also the medal and roll for Mr. Field. I regret to say that Mr. Field sailed for Europe in the Cuba on Wednesday last. I have them deposited in my safe, and await your further instructions.
I would suggest their deposit, until Mr. Field's return, in the "Safe Deposit Company" of this city.
Your obedient servant,
J. C. DERBY,
United States Despatch Agent.
Hon. F. W. Seward,
Assistant Secretary of State.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, January 23, 1869.
SIR : Your note of yesterday has been received. In reply, I have to state that no objection is perceived to your making such disposition of the medal, &c., as you propose, until the return of Mr. Field from Europe.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
J. C. Derby, Esq.,
United States Despatch Agent, New York.
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES DESPATCH AGENCY,
50 Dunne Street, New York, February 5, 1869.
SIR: I beg to enclose a copy of a cable telegram received from Mr. Cyrus W. Field, giving instructions about the disposition of the medal and resolutions of Congress. I have delivered the same to his daughter, and her receipt for the same is attached. Yours, very truly,
J. C. DERBY,
United States Despatch Agent.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
145 Broadway, New York,
February 2, 1869.
Dear Sir: I make the following extract from a telegram received from London to-day, and remain,
Yours, very respectfully,
HENRY H. WARD.
J.C. Derby, Esq.,
United States Despatch Agency.
Request Mr. Derby to please deliver the gold medal and documents from the Secretary of State to my daughter Grace.
CYRUS W. FIELD.
RECEIPT.
Received from J.C. Derby, esq., the gold medal and resolutions from Congress.
GRACE FIELD.
February 4.
