He was a United States Army Lieutenant during the Spanish–American War.
He was State's Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida from 1910 to 1921.
[1] On May 26, 1934, Long was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida vacated by Judge William Bostwick Sheppard.
Long was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 29, 1934, and received his commission on June 4, 1934.
Long served in that capacity until his death on May 20, 1955.