[1] When the American Civil War began in 1861, Chrysler chose to support the Union cause.

[1] He and his regiment were briefly stationed at Washington during the winter of 1863–64, before they were sent to New Orleans, Louisiana, to join the Department of the Gulf.

Chrysler's regiment participated in the Red River Campaign, and led a brigade of cavalry as the advance guard of Lawler's Division to secure a crossing on the Atchafalaya River used by Confederate forces to threaten the union camp at Morganza, Louisiana.

[2] Chrysler commanded a brigade in Thomas John Lucas's division during the final campaign against Mobile in 1865.

[2] He became military governor of the District of Northern Alabama for a short period of time before he was mustered out in 1866.