The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Joseph Sewell Gerrish Sweatt, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 15 May 1863, while serving with Company C, 7th Massachusetts Infantry, in action at Carrsville, Virginia. When ordered to retreat Private Sweatt turned and rushed back to the front, in the face of heavy fire of the enemy, in an endeavor to rescue his wounded comrades, remaining by them until overpowered and taken prisoner.