On February 9, 1812, Emperor Alexander I of the Russian decreed to decorate 27 peasants for their heroic deeds against Napoleon’s invasion force.
This medal was awarded just once, with only 27 medals made at the Saint Petersburg Mint. The obverse side of the medal featured Emperor Alexander`s profile, while the reverse side had a signature of the chief engineer of the Saint Petersburg Mint, K. Lebereht and the words “For love for the Fatherland”. The medal had to be worn on Ribbon of the Order of St. Vladimir.
By the time of the ceremony in Moscow on May 25, 1813, two out of 27 peasants had passed away, their medals were then melted down. Governor of Moscow during the French invasion of Russia, Feodor Rostopchin, welcomed the peasants at the ceremony, where they were given hats with gold embroidery as presents.
Also this day the following letter from David Todd, Morris Town County of St. Lawrence was sent to Colonel Proctor at Fort George asking him to forward an enclosed letter to his nephew who was serving there.
Letter courtesy of the Brock University digital archive.