Massachusetts Medal Pair, 6th and 34th Infantry. Captain John A. Lovell 6th and 34th Infantry.

[cylekostello]

Hi folks! Pictured is an awesome Massachusetts pair consisting of a 1902 Massachusetts Minuteman Medal and a veterans badge for the “Old Sixth” Massachusetts Militia. Both medals are nicely engaged to Mr. Lovell. And the minuteman has the added bonus of the original box and wax paper. 

John A. Lovell’s Service in the old 6th

John Lovell was born in 1834. Prior to the war Lovell worked as a stone mason in his hometown of Worcester. He also served as a sergeant in the local militia company, the Worcester Light Infantry. This experience would serve Lovell when on April 16th 1861 he enlisted as a sergeant in the 6th Massachusetts Infantry. Little did he know his regiment would have the unlucky distinction of suffering the first Union battle casualties of the war. 

Lovell and the 6th went south to join the growing federal army. Upon reaching Baltimore the Bay Staters found a city on edge, rife with Southern Sympathizers, needing only the slightest spark to explode. 

The 6th would be that spark. Forced to dismount their rail cars and march through Baltimore. At first Lovell and his men were subject to merely jeers, then stones and worse. The situation rapidly deteriorated and the mob surrounded the 6th, brutalizing the regiment’s rear companies. This soon devolved into a street fight. Shots rang out as the men of the 6th tried to rescue their beleaguered comrades. Upon extricating themselves from the mob the 6th found that four of their own had been slain, arguably the first Union combat casualties of the war. 

Lovell’s Service in the 34th

Thankfully for Sgt. Lovell the rest of the 6th’s term was rather uneventful. He mustered out of the 6th in August and returned to Mass soon after. 

A year later in August of 1862, perhaps enticed by a bounty or stricken with patriotic fervor Lovell re-enlisted. This time as 1st Lt. in a new outfit, the 34th Massachusetts Infantry. With whom Lovell would experience some of the ugliest fighting of the war in the Shenandoah Valley. 

For much of their early service the 34th enjoyed garrison duty, participating in the occasional minor action but never anything too severe. During their time as garrison troops Lovell would also be promoted to captain. 

This quiet service would change in 1864. When under the direction of a new general in chief the 34th plunged up the Shenandoah. At New Market, the 34th MA & 54th PA would be credited with saving the Army’s guns through their spirited defense. At New Market the 34th’s KIAs would account for nearly a quarter of the entire Union KIAs. 

Despite this bitter defeat the 34th did not lose heart. Playing a crucial role in the Federal victory at Piedmont. As well as fighting hard at the disastrous Battle of Lynchburg. It was in that battle that Lovell would be severely wounded by shrapnel in the upper arm and fore arm. 

Thanks to this wound Capt. Lovell would spend the next few months in a hospital. He would receive a disability discharge in November of 1864. Without him his regiment would win further laurels with Gen. Sheridan but John Lovell’s part in the war was over. 

Post War: 

Returning home. Capt Lovell would marry Eliza Whittemore. The couple would have one son, William. Post war Lovell would largely subsist on his disability pension as his war wound made masonry difficult. Lovell was active in vets affairs. Serving as Vice President of the 34th MA. Association. On Jan 12 1910 Lovell would pass away at the age of 75.

Hope y’all enjoy this great little duo! Very excited to have it in my collection. Plus it gives me an excuse to start reading about the Shenandoah Campaigns of 1864, an area where I know very little! 

If anybody has book recommendations on the Shenandoah Campaigns (especially Siegel & Hunter’s operations) please feel free to share!

[wartimecollectables.com]

Nice pair.  LOVE the Old Sixth medal!

 

[M24 Chaffee]

Great historical pieces! Nice additions!

 

Frank