Raised The Fallen Colors

Second Lieutenant Stephen Potter Corliss, a Medal of Honor recipient, enlisted in the Union army August 12^th 1862.

Stephen Potter Corliss was born July 25^th 1842 in Albany, New York, the son of Roswell B and Catherine Corliss.

Corliss enlisted as a Private in the 11^th New York Artillery August 12^th 1862 at Albany, New York.  He would be promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company F of the 4^th New York Heavy Artillery on June 26^th 1864.  He was taken prisoner on August 25^th 1864 at the Second Battle of Ream’s Station, returning to duty in December 1864.  Corliss received the Medal of Honor for his action at the Battle of South Side Railroad in Virginia on April 2^nd 1865.  It was here that the 4^th faced a Confederate battery near the railroad where it intersected with the White Oak Road.  The company charged three times.  When the color bearers were shot down, Corliss dismounted, picked up the flag, remounted and road, carrying the colors into the Confederate works planting them on the line.  The rest of the company followed him, and routed the enemy.  His citation reads, “raised the fallen colors and, rushing forward in advance of the troops, placed them on the enemy's works."  Corliss was discharged from service December 9^th 1865.

He received the Medal of Honor April 5^th 1898.  Corliss died May 9^th 1904 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  He is buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery, Albany, New York.