14kt Gold Daughters of Cincinnati Medal

Late 19th C. Enameled decoration on front with a ribbon: “Daughters of the Cincinnati”. A central enameled medallion depicting George Washington in gold. Inscribed on verso “Colonel Amie-Louis de Tousard 416”. Tousard served with the Continental army between 1777-1778. He lost his arm due to a wound received in the Battle of Rhode Island. He was decorated with the Order of St. Louis on his return to France. After being briefly imprisoned during the French Revolution in 1793, he returned to the U.S. in 1795 where he received a commission as a major in the Second Artillery Regiment. By 1800 he was a lieutenant colonel and Inspector of Artillery. As the inspector, he supervised the construction of several forts on the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. as well as the construction of cannons. He designed Fort Adams and Fort Hamilton in Newport, Rhode Island. His influence with George Washington was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1802. West Point was founded initially to train engineers and artillerists. Medal: 1 1/2″ high x 1 1/2″ wide. With ribbon and pin: 3″ high x 1 3/4″ wide. The medal itself is approximately 8 dwt. Pin is not gold. It is stamped B. B. & B Co. PHILA for Bailey Banks & Biddle Philadelphia. Good condition. Ribbon appears to be original. Please note this lot must be paid for by cash, wire transfer or known check. Items will be shipped or sent to shipper once payment clears.