Massachusetts. First Call Medal (1st Sgt Isaac Hosea, 5th Regiment)

Massachusetts. First Call Medal 1861, impressed “Isaac F. R. Hosea, 1st Sgt, E, 5th Reg”.

Isaac Hosea was born around 1833 and served in the 5th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in its initial 90-day period of service. The regiment initially served in the defenses of Washington but, as their term was expiring, opted to go into action at Manassas. Hosea later served as a captain with the 39th Massachusetts Infantry, organized in September 1862, which saw action at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. The 39th Massachusetts lost 96 men in combat and another 183 to disease. Hosea died in April 1893 in Medford, Massachusetts..