United Daughters of the Confederacy, Southern Cross of Honor Records

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [box #, folder #], United Daughters of the Confederacy, Southern Cross of Honor Records, 1905-1941, SC 0097, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
.25 cubic feet in 1 box and 1 folder
Creator:
United Daughters of the Confederacy and Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
Abstract:
The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Southern Cross of Honor Records, 1905-1941, consist of one half manuscript box and one oversize folder of the records and applications of Shenandoah Valley residents who received the Southern Cross of Honor and the Cross of Military Service from the United Daughters of the Confederacy from 1905-1941.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [box #, folder #], United Daughters of the Confederacy, Southern Cross of Honor Records, 1905-1941, SC 0097, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Southern Cross of Honor Records, 1905-1941, consist of one half manuscript box arranged in five folders and one oversize folder containing records and applications of Shenandoah Valley residents who received the Southern Cross of Honor and the Cross of Military Service. The folders are arranged topically, with applications arranged alphabetically by name. The first four folders contain applications for the Southern Cross of Honor, which were approved by S.B. Gibbons Camp No. 438, and are signed by veterans, descendants or widows of Confederate veterans. Folder five contains applications for the Cross of Military Service, approved by Turner Ashby Chapter No. 162, and are signed by World War I veterans who are descendants of Confederate veterans. The final oversize folder contains Southern Cross of Honor Recipient records.

Biographical / historical:

The Southern Cross of Honor award, which later became known as the Cross of Military Service, originated on October 13, 1862 as an act of the Confederate Congress to recognize the courage, valor and good conduct of officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the Confederate Army. Due to wartime shortages, however, the medals were unable to be made. The recipients' names were then recorded in an Honor Roll for future reference.

Mrs. Alexander S. Erwin first designed the cross that was used by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) in July 1898. It featured a cross with a Confederate battle flag on the face surrounded by a laurel wreath and the inscription "The Southern Cross of Honor." On the reverse side the motto of the Confederate States, "Deo Vindice" (God our Vindicator), 1861-1865, appears alongside the inscription "From the U.D.C. to the U.C.V." The Southern Cross of Honor and the Cross of Military Service are the two most prestigious honors awarded by the UDC.

Acquisition information:
This collection was placed on deposit by contract with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society.
Processing information:

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. The collection was previously cataloged as SC 2060.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged topically, then alphabetically by the names of the veterans in each folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard