The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Musician James Snedden, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 5 June 1864, while serving with Company E, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Piedmont, Virginia. Musician Snedden left his place in the rear, took the rifle of a disabled soldier, and fought through the remainder of the action.