I have recently obtained a copy of my gggrandfather holding a hat with the GAR insignia and wearing a medal with an eagle on top of what appears to be two cannons and cannon balls, with a small US flag with 13 stars in the upper left corner. Suspended from the flag is a star-shaped bronze medal with two men shaking hands in the center and a circle around that imprinted with "Grand Army of the Republic, 1861 Veteran 1866." My gggrandfather enlisted in Missouri and mustered in to Co. G, 40th Reg. Mo. Vols and served until the war ended. I am interested in the name of the medal and when the medal would have been given to the soldier (i.e., at the end of the war, 2 years later, etc.).
Thanks for any information you can provide!
Ann