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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

Moses Harris

First Lieutenant Moses Harris, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on August 28, 1864 in Smithfield, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War August 28, 1864

First Lieutenant Moses Harris was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 28, 1864 in Smithfield, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 1st U.S. Cavalry. Harris was about 25 years old.

The medal was presented on November 23, 1896, 32 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Major.

Harris was born in 1839 in Andover, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. His Medal of Honor is credited to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Harris died on June 27, 1927, at the age of about 88. He is buried at U.S. Military Academy Cemetery in West Point, New York.

Harris is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.

Official Medal of Honor citation

In an attack upon a largely superior force, his personal gallantry was so conspicuous as to inspire the men to extraordinary efforts, resulting in complete rout of the enemy.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. 1839
    Born in Andover, Merrimack County, New Hampshire
  2. August 28, 1864
    Act of valor — Smithfield, Virginia
    Age about 25. 1st U.S. Cavalry
  3. November 23, 1896
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. June 27, 1927
    Died
    Age about 88.
  5. Resting place
    U.S. Military Academy Cemetery
    West Point, New York

Same unit

JG John Green Major · Army Indian Campaigns · 1873 William Russell Parnell First Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877

More Civil War recipients from Massachusetts

EH Edward W. Hathaway Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 Francis Emroy Warren Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 David L. Gifford Private · Army Civil War · 1864 Leopold Karpeles Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 LG Levi B. Gaylord Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 RD Richard Dennis Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.