At the time of his service in the war officers were inelligible for the award. He pushed the change of regulations in the 1880s to honor his fellow officers who fought valiantly during the war (not to gain self glorification). He was then elligible to be nominated by the men who served with him. This change in regulations would also ironically help his son (an officer at the time) win his CMH for actions during WWII, makng them the first father & son to be awarded the honor.