He was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1857, assigned to the 4th Artillery, and took part in the Utah Expedition of 1859.

He became first lieutenant on April 1, 1861, and was engaged in the western Virginia operations and in the defences of Washington from December of that year till March, 1862.

He served in the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsular campaign, was promoted captain on August 5, 1862, and in October appointed chief of artillery of the 2nd Corps.

He was mustered out of the volunteer service on January 15, 1866, and from March 10 to June 26, 1866, served on a board of officers to make recommendations for brevet promotions in the army.

He then served in the artillery-school at Fortress Monroe and other stations on the Atlantic coast, and at the time of his death commanded Alcatraz Island, California.