Autographed view of Colonel Simmons 34th Pa. Vols.  "The son of Alfred & Deborah Perkins Simmons and the husband of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania resident Elmira Adelaide Simmons (her maiden name, too), whom he married in 1834.A professional soldier, he graduated from West Point in 1834 and, during the Mexican War, served at the rank of captain with the 7th U.S. Infantry. At the outset of the Civil War, he was selected colonel of the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves (34th Pennsylvania Infantry) but was discharged to accept a major's commission with the regular army and assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry. He was shot from his horse while trying to rally his fleeing troops at Charles City Crossroads (Glendale, White Oak Swamp, etc.), Virginia, and died shortly thereafter. Confederate general Micah Jenkins later died with Simmons' sword in his possession.