He was commissioned a full second lieutenant in the 7th U.S. Infantry, August 20, 1847, and served with that regiment in the Mexican War at Mexico City.

In June 1861, he assumed command of the Army's Fort Vancouver, relieving future Union general John S.

In June 1864 he was sent to West Point to be Commandant of Cadets of the United States Military Academy and an instructor of tactics.

He conducted courts martial, and commanded troops in Maryland and West Virginia during the railroad troubles in 1877.

Black died of heart failure on August 5, 1893, at the home of his son-in-law George M. Randall in Chicago, Illinois, aged 66.