The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel William Joyce Sewell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 3 May 1863, while serving with 5th New Jersey Infantry, in action at Chancellorsville, Virginia. Assuming command of a brigade, Colonel Sewell rallied around his colors a mass of men from other regiments and fought these troops with great brilliancy through several hours of desperate conflict, remaining in command though wounded and inspiring them by his presence and the gallantry of his personal example.