[7] Holton was one of the early responders to President Abraham Lincoln's call for volunteers to help defend the nation's capital following the fall of Fort Sumter at the dawn of the American Civil War.

[8][9] He then promptly re-enlisted for a three-year tour of duty, enrolling on August 28, 1861 as a first sergeant with Company I, 6th Vermont Infantry.

On April 16, while fighting with the 6th Vermont at Lee's Mills, Virginia during the Siege of Yorktown, Holton rescued the national colors after his regiment's color-bearer fell in action after being shot.

The invincibility of spirit shown by these companies, exposed to a terrible fire from the enemy sheltered in rifle pits, is worthy of the highest admiration.

Holton, I company, 6th Vermont Vol., in securing and bringing back the colors of the regiment after the bearer was shot down is deserving of special notice, as a praiseworthy and daring act.

As it was not position or money that I was going for, I accepted an appointment as first sergeant, in which position I served faithfully until the 16th day of April, 1862, when we went into the first real battle, and I was fortunate enough to secure the colors of the regiment after the color bearer was shot, and brought them out—also the command of the company devolved on me on account of Lieutenant King being wounded.

I have been in the following battles, but have not been hit yet, viz—1, Lee's Mills; 2, Williamsburg; 3, Golding's Farm; 4, Savage's Station; 5, White-Oak Swamp; 6, Malvern Hills; 7.

the rest of the division could not stand the pressure, but either fell back or disgracefully ran, and left the brigade to work alone against a rebel corps.

Evening PostCommissioned as a first lieutenant with his regiment on June 5, 1863, he was granted a furlough in recognition of his service, and returned home to Vermont sometime during the late summer of that year.

Employed at a paper mill, according to the federal census which was conducted on July 2 that year, his household had grown to include daughter Katherine May (1865–1942) and son Charles (1868–1939).

[26] Still a widower after the turn of the century, Holton resided with his son, Charles — a physician, at his home in Bernardston, Massachusetts.