The following data record is submitted by:
Thomas Hembrey (thembrey@aol.com)
(Extracted from public records)

USGENWEB NOTICE:  In keeping with our policy of providing free 
information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial 
entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These 
electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other 
presentation.  Commercial entities must ask for and receive permission 
from submittor before downloading.
========================================================================

Authors Note:
  This medal was rescinded in 1917 along with 910 others and restored by 
President Carter on 10 June 1977. 
  Although originally proposed for the Civil War period, U.S. Congress made
the "Congressional Medal of Honor" a permanent decoration in 1863. Since 
that time more than 3400 men and 1 woman have been awarded the medal.
  The reference material made no mention of who awarded the honors.


                          CITATION

DR. MARY E. WALKER
##################
Rank and organization:
Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian), U. S. Army.

Places and dates: 
Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861
Patent Office Hospital, Washington, D.C., October 1861
Chattanooga, Tenn., following Battle of Chickamauga, September 1863
Prisoner of War, April 10, 1864 - August 12, 1864, Richmond, Va
Battle of Atlanta, September 1864

Entered service at:
Louisville, Ky

Born:
26 November 1832
Oswego County, NY

Citation:
    Whereas it appears from official reports that Dr. Mary E. Walker, a graduate of medicine, 
"has rendered valuable service to the Government and her efforts have been earnest and untiring 
in a variety of ways," and that she was assigned to duty and served as an assistant surgeon in 
charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky., upon the recommendation of Major Generals 
Sherman and Thomas, and faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United 
States, and has devoted herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soliders, 
both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured 
hardships as a prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract 
surgeon; and Whereas by reason of her not being a commissioned officer in the military service, 
a brevet or honorary rank cannot, under existing laws, be conferred upon her; and Whereas in 
the opinion of the President an honorable  recognition of her services and sufferings should be 
made: It is ordered, That a testimonial thereof shall be hereby made and given to the said 
Dr. Mary E. Walker, and that the usual medal of honor for meritorious services be given her. 

Given under my hand in the city of Washington, D.C.,
this 11th day of November, A.D. 1865.

=================================================================================