The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major William Henry Powell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 26 November 1862, while serving with 2d West Virginia Cavalry, in action at Sinking Creek, Virginia, for distinguished services in raid, where with 20 men, he charged and captured the enemy’s camp, 500 strong, without the loss of man or gun.