Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/599

276 of absence, only half). It is distributed twice a year, on the 1st January, and 27th August, and consists of a silver cross with gold encasement, bearing in the middle of the obverse, the cypher 'XXV.' and of the reverse, the initial of the founder in gilt relief. It is worn upon the uniform, between the first and second button-hole, suspended by a green ribbon with silver stripes at the border (Plate 81. Tab. II. No. 6).

2. Medal for the Campaign of 1814, was instituted in 1816, by Duke Ernest, at Coburg-Saalfeld, by Duke Frederick at Altenburg, and by the Duchess Louise Eleonore, at Meiningen, and distributed amongst the troops of those Duchies who had participated in the campaign of 1814. It is of silver, and bears, on the obverse, the Maltese Cross, surrounded by an oaken wreath, and on _ the reverse, the inscription: 'Dem Vertheidiger des Vaterlandes, 1814' (To the defender of the Fatherland), round which are the words: 'Ernst, H. z. 8. C. S.,' or 'Friedrich, H. z. S. H.' or 'Louisa Eleonora, H.' z. S. O. V. u. L. R. (Plate 81. Tab. II. Nov 7).

3. The War Medal of the Duchy Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, was instituted, in 1816, by Duke Emilius Leopold Augustus, for the troops who were engaged in the campaigns of 1814 and 1815. For the private soldiers, it was entirely of bronze, and for the officers of bronze plated with gold. The obverse contains the Altenburg rose; and the reverse, a ducal crown with the legend, in old German characters: 'Im Kampfe fir das Recht' (In the struggle for right). Round the edge are the words: 'Herzogthum Gotha und Altenburg, MDCCCXIV and MDCCCXV' (No. 9)

4. Medal of Military Merit, was instituted in 1814, by Duke Ernest of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, for the troops then under his own command (as General of the 5th German