The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain Milton F. Russell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 29 December 1862, while serving with Company A, 51st Indiana Infantry, in action at Stone River, Tennessee. Captain Russell was the first man to cross Stone River and, in the face of a galling fire from the concealed skirmishers of the enemy, led his men up the hillside, driving the opposing skirmishers before them.