Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Cecil CLAY
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. A 1859 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, at age 20 he was commissioned as Captain and commander of Company K, 58th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on March 1, 1862. He was serving in that duty when his bravery on September 29, 1864 at the Battle of Fort Harrison, Virginia, during the Petersburg Campaign would garner him the CMOH, the citation for the award reading "Led his regiment in the charge, carrying the colors of another regiment, and when severely wounded in the right arm, incurring loss of same, he shifted the colors to the left hand, which also became disabled by a gunshot wound". Despite the amputation of his arm, he remained in service, rising to Major on September 20, 1864, and to Lieutenant Colonel on November 19, 1864. Brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for "gallant and meritorious services during the war", he saw the war through to its conclusion, served in post-War occupation duty with his regiment, and was honorably mustered out on January 24, 1866. His Medal was awarded to him on April 19, 1892, twenty-seven years after his brave acts. he was employed by the United States Department of Justice after the war, and rose to Colonel and commander of the 2nd District of Columbia National Guard regiment. (bio by: Russ Dodge)
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