[2] The political popularity he earned as a champion of worker's rights helped him to become assistant city marshal in Lynn.
[2] Shortly after the beginning of the Civil War, Draper began recruiting a company of volunteer soldiers in Lynn.
Soon after arriving in Washington, the 14th Massachusetts was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Albany in Arlington, Virginia, which was one of many fortifications defending the capital.
Wild, also from Massachusetts, organized the creation of several units of North Carolina infantry regiments consisting of African-American volunteers who would fight for the Union.
Draper desired to lead one of these regiments and sought the support of Governor John Albion Andrew of Massachusetts.
In December 1863, Draper was involved in a dispute with Lieutenant Colonel Frederick F. Wead, commander of the 98th New York Infantry and a garrison post at Pungo, Virginia.
After a raid nearby Pungo, at Knotts Island, North Carolina, Draper took a female civilian hostage in retribution for the capture of several of his soldiers.
In March 1864, Draper and his regiment (which had, in February 1864 been renamed the 36th United States Colored Troops) were transferred to garrison duty at Point Lookout, Maryland, a Union prisoner of war camp.
Through the support of his mentor, Butler, Draper eventually secured a transfer away from this undesirable post and in the spring of 1864 the 36th USCT was assigned to combat duty with the Army of the James as part of the XVIII Corps.
[3][9] During the Battle of Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road on October 28, 1864, near Richmond, Draper was commended for gallant service.
He later received the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general, dating from October 28 in recognition of his leadership at Fair Oaks.