He was a Captain in the United States Army in 1861, and a Brigadier General from 1862 to 1863, during the American Civil War.

[1] In 1873, Busteed was the subject of an impeachment inquiry by the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

The Committee recommended his impeachment on charges of failing to maintain a residence in his judicial district, failing to hold scheduled terms of court, and using his official position to promote his personal interests (specifically, by remitting a fine due to the Federal government in order to obtain release from a personal judgment against him in a State court).

[7] Representatives Butler and Wilson emphasized the revived (previously settled by Blount in 1799) but still-minority position that resignation was no bar to later impeachment, yet voted with the rest of the committee to terminate proceedings.

[8] Following his resignation from the federal bench, Busteed resumed private practice in New York City starting in 1874.