Edward Ratcliff

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Edward Ratcliff
February 8, 1835 – March 10, 1915
Place of birth	James City County, Virginia
Allegiance	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant Major
Unit	38th Regiment United States Colored Troops
Battles/wars	American Civil War * Battle of Chaffin's Farm
Awards	Medal of Honor

Edward Ratcliff (February 8, 1835 – March 10, 1915) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.

By September 29, 1864, Ratcliff was serving as a First Sergeant in Company C of the 38th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops. On that day, his unit participated in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm in Virginia, and it was for his actions during the battle that he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on April 6, 1865.

First Sergeant Ratcliff's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Commanded and gallantly led his company after the commanding officer had been killed; was the first enlisted man to enter the enemy's works.

Ratcliff reached the rank of Sergeant Major before leaving the military. He died at age 80 and was buried in Cheesecake Cemetery, Charles Corner, York County, Virginia.