Civil War Centennial Medal (design for obverse)
Joseph E. Renier
Born: Union Hill, New Jersey 1887
Died: New York, New York 1966
painted plaster 13 7/8 in. (35.3 cm) diam. Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of Mrs. Joseph Renier
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor, 46A
Luce Center Label
Joseph Renier’s medal, commissioned by the Civil War Centennial Commission, memorializes the four years of hostilities between North and South one hundred years before. It depicts Confederate general Robert E. Lee, who surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, also shown here, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, in 1865. “Let Us Have Peace” became Grant’s presidential campaign slogan in 1868. At Appomattox, Lee released his officers and soldiers, bidding them return home with “a consciousness of duty faithfully performed.”
Animal - bird - eagle
Figure group - male
History - United States - Civil War
Occupation - military - general
Portrait male - Grant, Ulysses S.
Portrait male - Lee, Robert E.
sculpture - relief