On September 19, 1864, at Winchester, Virginia a remarkable act of courage and compassion took place. The charge was over and had been repulsed. Company after company of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry had smashed against Confederate breastworks to no avail. Orderly Sergeant Conrad Schmidt of Co. K had seen his commander go down in the melee, his right arm shattered by three pistol balls. Bloody, dazed, Captain Rodenbough staggered to his feet not fifteen yards from the enemy line when he saw his sergeant racing to his rescue. Overcoming fear is the definition of courage, and Schmidt’s actions that day earned him the nation’s highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.