He was honored with the award on December 1, 1864. He joined the Army in July 1861, and mustered out with his regiment in June 1865. After the civil war, Jellison served in the Massachusetts militia from 1873 to 1893, where he was promoted to captain, having entered the militia as a private.
Jellison died in Reading, Massachusetts, and was buried in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
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, Virginia on July 3, 1863. Jellison was one of seven soldiers from the 19th Massachusetts Infantry who were awarded the Medal of Honor. The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Benjamin H. Jellison, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 3 July 1863, while serving with Company C, 19th Massachusetts Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for capture of flag of 57th Virginia Infantry (Confederate States of America).
