 A former clerk, probably from St. George's, Simmons joined the 54th on March 12, 1863.Many black and white Bermudians fought for the Union, mostly in the US Navy.Other black Bermudians who served in the United States Army during the war included Robert Tappin (who had previously served in the US Navy from 1863 to 1864), John Wilson and Joseph Thomas of the 31st Colored Infantry Regiment, John Thompson of the 26th Colored Infantry, Wate O. Harris, of the 6th Coloured Infantry, and George Smith.