The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Christopher W. Wilson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 12 May 1864, while serving with Company E, 73d New York Infantry, in action at Spotsylvania, Virginia. Private Wilson took the flag from the wounded Color Bearer and carried it in the charge over the Confederate works, in which charge he also captured the colors of the 56th Virginia (Confederate States of America) bringing off both flags in safety.