Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A veteran of the Mexican War, he was serving as a Captain in the 14th United States Regular Infantry during the Civil War when he was tabbed to be the Colonel and commander of the 20th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on April 13, 1865 for "gallant and meritorious services in the campaign against Atlanta, Ga". He remained in the Regular Army after the end of the conflict, and retired in 1875 with the rank of Colonel. From 1869 to 1871 he had served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Terriory of Washington.