er authority
of the seventh section of the Act of Congress approved June (p. 455)
20, 1874, in recognition of your services in rescuing from
drowning, on the 11th of September, 1877, a boy named Thomas
Walsh, who had fallen from a wharf at Wilmington, Delaware, into
the Christiana river.

The witnesses of the affair testify that you plunged from the
deck of your vessel in your clothes and, under circumstances of
peculiar danger, seized the drowning lad as he was sinking for
probably the last time, handed him up to the people on the wharf,
and then swam back to your vessel. In this perilous action your
modesty was no less conspicuous than your bravery, and in
addition to the pleasure I have in sending you the medal which
commemorates your gallant behavior, there is the equal pleasure
of knowing that the Department is also honored by such conduct on
the part of one of its officers.

Very respectfully,
John SHERMAN,
_Secretary_.

_____

_Edward Nordall, seaman on board the revenue steamer "Tench Coxe" for
rescuing an unknown man from drowning in the Delaware River, June 3,
1877. Awarded November 23, 1877._

Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary,
Washington, D. C., March 12, 1878.
To
Edward NORDALL,
Seaman on board the revenue steamer "Tench Coxe,"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a life-saving medal of
the second class, which has been awarded to you, under authority
of the seventh section of the Act of Congress approved June 20,
1874, in recognition of your services in rescuing an unknown man
from drowning in the Delaware river, on the 3d of June, 1877.

The hardy courage and humanity of your action in springing
overboard in a squall of violent wind and rain, at the peril of
your life, and saving this stranger, cannot fail to be
appreciated, and fully deserves the public recognition and esteem
which the award of a medal to you, involves. In sending you this
testimonial to your brave and humane conduct, I am deeply
gratified that it was so well won, and by a seaman of the revenue
marine.

V