b. 13/02/1842 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. d. 23/09/1903 Washington DC.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 29/09/1864 Fort Harrison, Virginia.
Cecil Clay MOH
Cecil Clay was first lieutenant on September 1, 1861 and captain on January 1, 1862 of company K of the 58th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Major on September 30, 1864 and to Lieutenant Colonel on November 19, 1864.
Clay earned the Medal of Honor while serving with the 58th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment on September 29, 1864 at Fort Harrison, Virginia, where he was wounded in action, losing his right arm and severely wounded in the left arm while leading a charge, carrying the colors of another regiment. The medal was actually issued on April 19, 1892.
Clay was mustered out of the volunteer service on January 24, 1866. On February 24, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Clay for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on April 10, 1866.
After the war, Clay became a lumber merchant. He was President of the St. Lawrence Boom and Manufacturing Company in 1870. From 1883 to 1903, he was chief clerk and general Agent, United States Department of Justice. He was a colonel in the 2nd [regiment] D.C. National Guard, 1887-1897. He also was President, Board of Reform School, Washington, D.C.
MOH CITATION:
Led his regiment in the charge, carrying the colors of another regiment, and when severely wounded in the right arm, incurring loss of same, he shifted the colors to the left hand, which also became disabled by a gunshot wound.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 2, SITE 1012
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
