My English ancestor was born in Brighton.!! I am also a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Based on great grand uncle wh0 died at Andersonville prison at age 16.
It's the Grand Army of the Republic medal that was not military, but from the GAR. GAR was sort of like VFW, etc. in its day. The medal has a controversial resemblance to the MoH, and was later redesigned to avoid confusion.