United States. A Congressional Medal Of Honour, To Trafton Phillips, 27Th Maine Infantry

Instituted July 12, 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln. Type I. (1862-1896). In bronze, engraved "The Congress to Trafton Philips Co. E. 27th Me. Vol” on the reverse, measures 53.15 mm (w) x 69.35 mm (h), weighs 35.39 grams, original ribbon and hanger, dark patina, extremely fine.  

Accompanied by a studio portrait of Phillips by Lamson Photo, Maine, reverse inked ‘Trafton Phillips Peake’s Island’, measures 63.8 mm (w) x 106 mm (h), very fine. 

Footnote: Private Trafton Phillips was born in September of 1821 in Sanford Maine. His profession is listed as farmer. He mustered in Company E, 27th Main volunteer Infantry Regiment on September 30, 1862. 

The 27th Maine Infantry Regiment was raised almost entirely in York County, Maine, and reported to camp at Portland beginning on 10 September 1862, their official date of enlistment. Officers were elected on 19 September, and the regiment was mustered into federal service on the 30th. During its nine-month term, the 27th served in the defenses of Washington, D.C., occupying posts at East Capitol Hill, Camp Chase, Arlington Heights, Camp Seward, Camp Vermont, and Camp Casey. On 24 March 1863 the regiment moved to Chantilly, Virginia, where it manned the outermost line of infantry protecting the capital.

When the regiment returned to Arlington Heights on 25 June 1863, its term of service had expired and preparations were underway to return home. However, with General Robert E. Lee’s army advancing northward into Pennsylvania, the Army of the Potomac marched out to meet it, leaving Washington largely unguarded. President Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton appealed for volunteers to remain temporarily beyond their enlistments. While other units declined, approximately 312 men of the 27th Maine agreed to stay and continue guarding the capital. Following the Union victory at Gettysburg, these men departed Washington on 4 July and returned to Portland on 6 July; the regiment was formally mustered out on 17 July 1863.

For their voluntary service in the defense of the nation’s capital, Medals of Honor were initially authorized for the 312 men who remained. Because a definitive list of the actual volunteers could not be produced, the medals were ultimately issued to the entire regiment. This irregularity later led to the removal of all members of the 27th Maine from the Medal of Honor rolls during the comprehensive 1917 review of awards.

Trafton Phillips died on September 21, 1907 and is buried in Wells, Maine.