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Congressional Medal of Honor
Michael Dougherty petitioned for recognition of his acts of bravery during the Civil War, with the support and testimony of his superior, Colonel M. Kerwin. As a result, on January 23, 1897, he received a letter confirming that sufficient evidence had been submitted to grant him the Medal of Honor. The letter stated that the medal was being sent to him that same day "by direction of the president and in accordance with the act of Congress approved March 3, 1863..."
The medal presented in this collection combines two versions: the ribbon is from the 1897 issue, and the metal medallion is from a 1927 reissue. The 1897 medal is identifiable by its ribbon, which features vertical red, white, and blue stripes—a traditional design for this period. The 1927 version of the medal includes a slightly altered medallion, with more intricate detailing in the bronze eagle at the top and laurel leaves surrounding the star. The 1927 design also incorporates the word "Valor," highlighting the act of bravery for which the medal was awarded.
This collection includes a certificate verifying the receipt of the 1927 medal. -
Leather Medal of Honor Case
This leather case, lined with silk, is believed to have originally housed Michael Dougherty’s 1897 Medal of Honor. Dougherty (1844–1930). The exterior shows significant wear, with visible discoloration and scuffing. The interior silk lining is heavily stained and shows signs of age-related deterioration, particularly at the edges. -
Medal for Bravery in Battle
This medal was awarded to Michael Dougherty for Bravery in Battle. The reverse side lists three locations—Cedar Creek, Winchester, and Jefferson, Virginia—and their respective dates, acknowledging Dougherty's involvement in those battles. It also recognizes his 23 months spent in Southern prisons during the Civil War. The front side of the medal bears Dougherty's name and commemorates his service with Company B, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The medal was presented by Colonel M. Kerwin, who later became a Brigadier General in the Fenian Brotherhood, explaining the different titles used for him in related documents -
Pre-Enlistment Diary
A small diary filled with poems, some of which are signed by Michael Dougherty, notes, drafts of letters, and a small amount of record-keeping notes. The diary contains a poem about the death of Colonel Edward D. Baker at Ball's Bluff, which ends with the attack on Fort Sumter on April 12th, 1861. It describes the early stages of the Civil War. -
Prisoner of War Diary
A handwritten diary that documents Michael’s time spent as a prisoner of war in Pemberton, Barrett's, Belle Isle, Libby, and Andersonville prisons up to his release. Michael was captured on October 12th, 1863, sent to Andersonville in March 1862, and was released at the end of the Civil War in 1865. The presence of ink and pencil suggests revisions were made to entries, possibly before the diary was published in 1908 with the help of his son Chas. A. Dougherty.