This Civil War medal for Union veterans (1881-1866) was posthumously awarded to Pleasant Richardson for the service “he gave to the West Virginia army and in defense of the nation.” It was donated to the Botetourt County Museum by Judith C. Barnett in memory of Edward Wayne Barnett. Pleasant Richardson was born a slave in Botetourt in 1846. He ran away from his owner, Henry Johnson, and enlisted in the West Virginia Union army. He was present at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered to General Grant. More information is in the Museum Courthouse Gallery.
