The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel Nelson Appleton Miles, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on May 2 & 3, 1863, while serving with 61st New York Infantry, in action at Chancellorsville, Virginia. Colonel Miles exhibited distinguished gallantry while holding with his command an advanced position against repeated assaults by a strong force of the enemy; was severely wounded.