George Newman Bliss

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Cavalry) George Newman Bliss, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 28 September 1864, while serving with Company C, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, in action at Waynesboro, Virginia. While in command of the provost guard in the village, Captain Bliss saw the Union lines returning before the attack of a greatly superior force of the enemy, mustered his guard, and, without orders, joined in the defense and charged the enemy without support. He received three saber wounds, his horse was shot, and he was taken prisoner.