Thank you, I cross checked the same.I had my suspicions with the Campaign inscriptions though I had read that Campaign medals were silver.I saw Medal of gold issued by Congress to Gen.Winfield Scott in 1848 and do to his involvement it was established as the Medal of Honor in 1860.I thought maybe an evolutionary process.I appreciate your time I still don't understand completely.I did notice another report of Maj.Gen.James B.McPherson noting a large number of medals had not been distributed as of Oct. of 1863 making reference to a state problem.This also suspicious...I was under the impression the only medals issued during the war were the Congressional Medal of Honor.Some paper citations such as Meritorious Conduct.
If his service prior to July21,1864 wasn't enough to receive this medal.The history of the regiment states,
http://books.google.com/books?id=dF0tAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false
page 25:
Leggett's Hill "In this charge,the color bearer of the 78th was killed.Before the colors touched the ground,they were seized and borne by Pvt. Elliott,of Company F of the 20th.In a moment he was killed.His brother,(Robert)of the same Company,snatched them from falling.He, too,was at once killed,and then Private-----,also of the same Company,took the colors and brought them safely back to the works."
There was another brother Pvt. Joseph Elliott in the same Company who survived the war hopefully the blank was him.Of interest their Great Grandfather was Capt. Samuel Elliott of Rev. War fame.Thanks again!