Medal - 1781 Comitia Americana Medal Restrike (1843-45), John Eager Howard at Cowpens, J-MI-9 NGC MS63 Brown

This striking medal was crafted by Benjamin Duvivier, who designed and engraved other Comitia Americana medals in Paris. His monogram "DU. VIV" is visible on the obverse. This issue was produced using the original dies crafted in France. NGC has graded this one as MS63 Brown, with 5 finer.

John Eager Howard, who was awarded for bravery at the Battle of Cowpens (1781) in South Carolina. Image: Wikipedia.

John Eager Howard was commissioned as a captain at the onset of the American War of Independence (1775-1783). He rose in the ranks to colonel in the Maryland Line of the Continental Army, seeing much action in the Battle of White Plains (New York) in 1776 and the Battle of Monmouth (New Jersey) in 1778. Howard was awarded a silver medal for his leadership and ferocity  at the 1781 Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina.

It was at Cowpens that he commanded the 2nd Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army. September of 1781 saw Howard wounded in a bayonet charge at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in South Carolina. Major General Nathanael Greene, the Southern Army commander, wrote that Howard was "as good an officer as the world affords. He has great ability and the best disposition to promote the service ... He deserves a statue of gold." The Smithsonian Institution writes of him, "Though not his only moment of fame [Cowpens], his unrelenting spirit, seven sword wounds, and generosity to those who surrendered to him at the Battle marked him a truly remarkable officer."