French Napoleonic War St Helena Medal & Document, 5th Dragoons Veteran
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $395.00

Original era issue. Framed Saint Helena medal document and original Saint Helena medal. The document is named to George Theodore Mignot who served with the French 5th Dragoon Regiment during the Napoleonic Wars. The 5th Dragoon Regiments service during the Napoleonic Wars was extensive, 1805 Wertingen, Austerlitz, 1806 Nasielsk, 1807 Eylau, Friedland. In Spain 1809 Almonacid, Ocana, 1814 Vitoria, Craonne La Fere-Champenoise. 1815 Ligny and Waterloo.During the Battle of Waterloo (known as Mont St. Jean to the French) the 5th Dragoons served with the II Cavalry Reserve Corps, fielding 24 Officers and 346 enlisted soldiers. The Saint Helena Medal, was the first French campaign medal, created in 1857 by Napoleon III to honor those surviving veterans of the Grande Armee who served between 1792 and 1815. It is believed over 405,000 veterans received this award at the time. Original dark bronze patina with its correct ribbon. The award document, 5th Dragoons, numbered. 39765. What part George Theodore Mignot played in the aforementioned battles is unknown, however he had to be a veteran to receive the medal. The period image below is not included, however it illustrates the importance and honor the Saint Helena medal conveyed to the surviving veterans of the Wars of Napoleon.  Here being worn by the  the last surviving veteran of Waterloo, Victor Baillot, taken in 1897 when he was 105 years old. The Saint Helena Medal can be clearly be seen on the lapel of his coat.