The people of Colorado responded quickly[1] and Ford took command of one company raised in Cañon City and was appointed captain on December 21, 1861.

Slough planned an advance against the approaching Confederate army, assigning Ford and his company to Maj. John M. Chivington's flanking column.

In the ensuing Battle of Glorieta Pass, Ford participated in the action near Johnson's Ranch, which captured the Confederate supply train.

Colonel Ford was placed in command of the 4th Brigade in James G. Blunt's 1st Division of Curtis' newly formed Army of the Border.

His brigade then held the left flank of the Union Army at the Battle of Westport and was heavily engaged in the fighting along Brush Creek.

[4] He commanded the District of the Upper Arkansas for the remainder of the war conducting operations against Native Americans from Fort Larned.