NO bm.  During the Civil War, Wilson sold his journal and entered the Union Army late in 1862. He was commissioned as a major of the 15th Illinois Cavalry Regiment, and eventually commanded the 4th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment as colonel. He resigned from the Army on June 16, 1865.[3] On February 27, 1867, President Andrew Johnson nominated Wilson for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers to rank from March 13, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on March 2, 1867.[4] His middle brother was killed at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and his youngest brother also served.[2][3]