The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Amos Jay Cummings, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 4 May 1863, while serving with 26th New Jersey Infantry, in action at Salem Heights, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Sergeant Major Cummings rendered great assistance in the heat of the action in rescuing a part of the field batteries from an extremely dangerous and exposed position.