The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain Edward Washburn Whitaker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 29 June 1864, while serving with Company E, 1st Connecticut Infantry, in action at Reams’ Station, Virginia. While acting as an aide Captain Whitaker voluntarily carried dispatches from the commanding general to General Meade, forcing his way with a single troop of Cavalry, through an Infantry division of the enemy in the most distinguished manner, though he lost half his escort.