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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

Benjamin H. Jellison

Sergeant Benjamin H. Jellison, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on July 3, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War July 3, 1863

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Benjamin H. Jellison received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 3, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 19th Massachusetts Infantry. Jellison was 17 years old.

30 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 6, 1864 — by Major General George G. Meade, at a review of the 2nd Army Corps Headquarters, Peebles' House, near Petersburg, Va. He later rose to the rank of Captain.

Jellison was born on December 29, 1845 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. Jellison died on April 5, 1924 in Reading, Massachusetts, at the age of 78. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Jellison is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.

★ Flags & Colors

Official Medal of Honor citation

Capture of flag of 57th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.). He also assisted in taking prisoners.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

1863 · Civil War

Battle of Gettysburg

Result: Union victory

21 Medal of Honor recipients

Places

  • Born: Newburyport — map
  • Died: Reading — map
  • Buried: Elmwood Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. December 29, 1845
    Born in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts
  2. July 3, 1863
    Act of valor — Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
    Age 17. Company C, 19th Massachusetts Infantry
  3. December 6, 1864
    Medal of Honor presented
    By Major General George G. Meade, at a review of the 2nd Army Corps Headquarters, Peebles' House, near Petersburg, Va.
  4. April 5, 1924
    Died in Reading, Massachusetts
    Age 78.
  5. Resting place
    Elmwood Cemetery
    Haverhill, Massachusetts

Biography

Benjamin H. Jellison (December 29, 1845 – April 5, 1924) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Jellison received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Jellison's medal was won for his heroism at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863. He was honored with the award on December 1, 1864. Jellison was one of seven soldiers from the 19th Massachusetts Infantry who were awarded the Medal of Honor. He joined the Army in July 1861, and mustered out with his regiment in June 1865.

From the Wikipedia article “Benjamin H. Jellison”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on July 3, 1863

EB Elijah William Bacon Private · Army Civil War · 1863 ✦ George Greenville Benedict Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1863 MB Morris Brown Jr. Captain · Army Civil War · 1863 ✦ HC Hugh Carey Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 ✦ JC John E. Clopp Private · Army Civil War · 1863 Alonzo H. Cushing First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1863 ✦ JD Joseph H. Decastro Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 GD George H. Dore Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 Benjamin Frank Falls Color Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 ✦ CF Christopher Flynn Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 Frederick W. Fuger Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 William B. Hincks Sergeant Major · Army Civil War · 1863

See all 31 recipients for July 3, 1863 →

More Civil War recipients from Massachusetts

JM Jeremiah Mahoney First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 JD John Milton Deane Major · Army Civil War · 1865 JH James Horton Gunner's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1864 Lewis Augustine Horton Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 Daniel Dickerson Stevens Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1865 William Lord Musician · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.