He was discharged for promotion to 2nd lieutenant on June 26, 1864 and was commissioned into Company F, 4th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment.

He was listed as a prisoner of war on August 25, 1864 at the Second Battle of Ream's Station in Virginia.

He was returned on December 29, 1864 and promoted the next day to First Lieutenant, Company F, 4th New York Heavy Artillery.

His Medal of Honor citation notes that at South Side Railroad, Virginia, on April 2, 1865, Corliss "raised the fallen colors and, rushing forward in advance of the troops, placed them on the enemy's works."

On April 7, 1880 he was elected as a First Class Companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States - a military society composed of officers who served in the Union armed forces and their descendants.