Clinton Lycurgus Armstrong was 18 years old when he enlisted in the 83rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry on October 15, 1862, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Mustered in as a Private in Company D, he would go on to be awarded the Congressional Metal of Honor for his bravery at Vicksburg, MS on May 22, 1863.  His citation simply reads, "Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party"." On the day in questions, 150 men were called to volunteer to make a "forlorn hope" diversionary charge on the Confederate position know as the Stockade Redan - a charge that was intended to draw fire away from the real planned attack, and a charge that no one was expected to return from (to this end, only unmarried men were accepted as volunteers).  After charging an open plain in full view of the confederates, the withering fire was such that most of the volunteers were cut down, and those that made it through the fire sought shelter in a ravine under the Redan.  There they stayed and fought until nightfall, when the survivors made their way to return to the Union lines, Private Armstrong being one.  85 percent of the men who made the charge did not make it back from the battle.  Having been shot twice in the leg and once in the lower abdomen, he lay in the open field until he dragged himself back to safety after darkness fell.  His Civil War service ended on August 15, 1863; his wounds rendered him to disabled to continue.