United States. A Military Order Of The Loyal Legion (Mollus) Badge To Civil War Veteran First Lieut. Adjutant Montague, 140Th Ohio Infantry

Footnote: The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), also known as the "Loyal Legion", is a United States patriotic order, organized on April 15, 1865, by officers of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States who "had aided in maintaining the honor, integrity, and supremacy of the national movement" during the American Civil War. It was formed by loyal union military officers in response to rumors from Washington of a conspiracy to destroy the Federal government by assassination of its leaders, in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. They stated their purpose as the cherishing of the memories and associations of the war waged in defense of the unity and indivisibility of the Republic; the strengthening of the ties of fraternal fellowship and sympathy formed by companionship in arms; the relief of the widows and children of dead companions of the order; and the advancement of the general welfare of the soldiers and sailors of the United States. As the original officers died off, the veterans organization became an all-male hereditary society. The modern organization is composed of male descendants of these officers (hereditary members), and others who share the ideals of the Order (associate members), who collectively are considered "Companions". A female auxiliary, Dames of the Loyal Legion of the United States (DOLLUS), was formed in 1899 and accepted as an affiliate in 1915. Theodore Giles Montague was born in 1836 in Ohio and enlisted on August 2, 1864 as a Adjutant, at the age of 27, mustered into the Field and Staff of the 140th Ohio Infantry for service during the Civil War. The 140th Ohio Infantry was organized at Gallipolis, Ohio on May 10, 1864, to serve for 100 days. It was composed of the 15th Regiment, Ohio National Guard from Meigs County and the 20th Regiment, Ohio National Guard from Scioto County. It was under the direction of Colonel Robert B. Wilson, Lieutenant Colonel Van B. Hibbs and Major David T. Harkins. Immediately after the organization, the unit was sent to Charleston, West Virginia, to relieve the veteran troops stationed there. The entire period of service was spent in frontier duty and guarding army stores along the Kanawha and Gauley rivers. Upon completion of service, First Lieutenant Montague and the entire unit were mustered out on September 3, 1864 at Gallipolis. In his civilian life, he was President of the First National Bank and the Roane Iron Company, along with being a member of the Lookout Commandery of Number 14 of the Knights Templar. He died on September 2, 1910, at the age of 74 and is buried in Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, Plot: Section 1 Lot 153. Montague is listed on the Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio, Union Blue: History of MOLLUS.