Benjamin was a married farmer, father of two, drafted into Co C of the 146 NYS Vol Infantry [a Zouave unit), on 19 Sep 1863 in Canandaigua, NY. He was 33 yrs old, fair complexion, 5' 4 & 3/4", blue-eyed and brown-haired.
Following items contained in military and pension records of Benjamin W. Simmons:
"TREATMENT.
(Here note important complications and all operations."
'Left 4th resection of a portion of the radius.
Sept 28. Pyemia occurred. Treated with Quinine Opium and Brandy'
RESULT and DATE.
'Died Oct. 4th of Pyemia'
Armory Square G.H., Washington, D.C."
"Hospital Number 4305
Name 'Benjamin W Simmons'
Age '33' Nativity 'American'
Married or Single 'Married'
Residence 'Bristol Ontario Co N.Y.'
Post Office address of wife or nearest relative} 'wife Abbie Simmons [ditto]'
Rank 'Priv' Co. 'C' Regiment '146th N.Y.S.'
When admitted 'Sept 12th 1864'
From what source 'City Point'
Diagnosis: 'Gunshot wound of Left arm just above the rist joint fracturing both bones'
On what occasion wounded 'Skirmish line W.R.R. [Weldon RR]'
Date 'Sept 4th 1864'
Nature of missile or weapon 'Minnie ball' "

From "Campaigns of the One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Regiment, New York State Volunteers, also known as Halleck's Infantry, the Fifth Oneida, and Garrard's Tigers", compiled by Mary Genevie Green Brainard, G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1915; copy at the Allen Co. Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN:

p 514 Record of Service, 146th Regiment N.Y. Volunteers: [edited to reflect only the time that Benjamin Simmons was with them] --
"Duty near Warrenton, Beverly Ford and Culpeper, Virginia, to October 9, 1863.
Bristoe Campaign, October 9 to 22, 1863.
Action at Bristoe Station, October 14, 1863.
Action near Rappahannock Station, October 21, 1863.
Battle of Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863.
Mine Run Campaign, November 26 to December 2, 1863.
Duty on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, December, 1863 to May, 1864.
Campaign from Rapidan to Petersburg, May 4 to June 16, 1864.
Battle of the Wilderness, May 5 to 7, 1864.
Battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 8 to 21, 1864.
Piney Branch Church, May 8, 1864.
Laurel Hill, May 10, 1864.
Gayle's House, May 14, 1864.
Battles of the North Anna River, May 22 to 26, 1864.
Jericho Ford, May 22 to 24, 1864.
Totopotomoy Creek, May 27 to 31, 1864.
Battles of Bethesda Church and Magnolia Swamp, June 1 to 4, 1864.
Battle of Cold Harbor, June 4 to 12, 1864.
Action at White Oak Swamp, June 13, 1864.
Siege of Petersburg, from June 16, 1864 to April 2, 1865.
Assault on Petersburg, June 17 to 19, 1864.
Moved to support of Ninth Corp, in reserve during the explosion of the mine, and Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864.
Descent on Weldon Railroad, August 18 to 21, 1864.
Action near the Yellow House, August 18 to 20, 1864.
Action near Davis House, August 19, 1864.
Battle of Poplar Spring Church, September 30 to October 2, 1864."

Benjamin left behind a wife, a 10-yr old son, and a 3-yr old daughter.