Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Sergeant William Ellis received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 14, 1865 in Dardanelle, Arkansas during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry. Ellis was about 33 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Ellis was born in 1832 in England — one of 98 recipients born in England. His Medal of Honor is credited to Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Ellis died on February 1, 1875 in San Bernardino, California, at the age of about 43. He is buried at County PAP Cemetery in San Bernardino, California.
Ellis is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Remained at his post after receiving three wounds, and only retired, by his commanding officer's orders, after being wounded a fourth time.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Remained at his post after receiving three wounds, and only retired, by his commanding officer's orders, after being wounded a fourth time.
- Age at death: about 43
- Resting place: County PAP Cemetery
Timeline
- 1832Born in England
- January 14, 1865Act of valor — Dardanelle, ArkansasAge about 33. Company K, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry
- February 1, 1875Died in San Bernardino, CaliforniaAge about 43.
- Resting placeCounty PAP CemeterySan Bernardino, California
