He earned the highest military decoration in the United States—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.

Born in Saint Mary's County, Maryland, Harris worked as a farmer before joining the U.S. Army from Great Mills at age 36.

[1] At the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, on September 29, 1864, Harris' regiment was among a division of black troops assigned to attack the center of the Confederate defenses at New Market Heights.

The attack was met with intense Confederate fire; over fifty percent of the black troops were killed, captured, or wounded.

The initial attack stalled at the abatis, but when a renewed effort began, Harris and two other men of the 38th USCT, Private William H. Barnes and Sergeant Edward Ratcliff, ran at the head of the assault.