Aaron enlisted Aug. 30, 1862 at Colesville, Chenango Co., NY and mustered in as Corporal Sept. 3, 1862. He served 3 years in Company F. 137th NY INF'Y, 3D BRIG., 2nd DIV. He was captured at Culp's Hill during the Battle of Gettysburg; paroled prior to October, 1863 and returned to duty with his unit. He was with his outfit on Sherman's Atlanta Campaign when injured and suffered "neuralgia of the face and eyes" on June 16, 1864 at the battle or engagement at Marietta Road. He was evacuated to the Union Hospital at Chattanooga, TN. He was discharged from service, October 9, 1865 at Elmira, NY. Aaron went blind from his injuries.[Crawford.FTW]

Aaron Benn was captured at Gettysburg on Culp's Hill, July 2, 1863. He was captured during one of four assaults on the 137th's thinly dispersed position on Culp's Hill, the extreme right flank of the Union's position at Gettysburg. The 137th was attacked by Confederate forces under Stonewall Jackson's Old Corps - the Corps commanded by General Ewell. The 137th heroically held the position on Culp's Hill, but Aaron was confined at Richmond, VA as a POW on July 21, 1863 but was paroled at City Point, MD on August 21, 1863.

Military records and affidavits indicate that Aaron was with his unit during Gen. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Aaron was reported by his commanding officer, 2nd Lt. Marshall Corbet, to have been engaged with the enemy near Marietta, GA on or about June, 16, 1864. On or about that date, Lt. Corbet's affidavit indicates that Aaron eyes were injured "from exposure". Aaron was then sent back to Chattanooga, TN where he was hospitalized. Aaron eventually went blind from his injuries suffered in service to his country.

Rippon, VA 11/9/1862
Charlestown, West Virginia 12/2/1862
Dumfrees, VA 12/27/1862
Chancellorville, VA 5/1-3/1863
Gettysburg, PA 7/1&2/1863
POW in Richmond,VA, then in Parole Camp at Wauhatchie, TN 10/28 - 29/1863
Chattanooga & Rossville Campaign, Tennessee 11/25 - 27/1863
Lookout Mountain 11/24/1863 - the 137th made a bayonet charge here at Taylor's Ridge to silence a Confederate Battery.
Missionary Ridge 11/25/1863
Ringgold Gap, GA 11/27/1863
various encampments
Wauhatchie &/or Raccoon MT. TN to 1/4/1864
encamped at Stevenson, AL 1/7/1864 - 5/25/1864
denied furlough in February 1864
Atlanta Campaign starts May 5, 1864
Battle of Resacca, GA 5/25/1864 - Col. Ireland wounded here
Battle of Pine Knob or Pine MT. 6/15/1864 - "pushed enemy near Marietta"