Life during and after the American Civil War was a torrent of hardship and misery. Drawing upon extensive research, Richard Galloway's novel, The Medal, is an endearing fictional account of one soldier's personal triumph through combat, POW life, slavery, personal conflicts, romance, and, most importantly, loved ones--lost and found. The United States is in the midst of the Civil War, and Simon Bolivar Ramsey is a Union private in the 100th Regiment, New York State Volunteers. In addition to his loved ones back home, Simon has something even more. He carries his father's medal, a talisman that protects him through battles and internment. While in Andersonville, the most brutal of all Southern prisoner-of-war camps, the beloved medal is stolen. Following a dramatic escape, Simon falls victim to amnesia, is given a new identity, and begins a second life on a Confederate widow's Georgia plantation. Then, through a strange twist of fate, the medal reenters Simon's life, spurring partial memories and the revelation that his life has just begun. Will Simon be reunited with his past, or will his future leave a lasting impression on generations to come? Follow Simon on his journey to a surprising conclusion as he seeks to find true meaning and--ultimately--his true self.