In 1852, Wade appointed Eckert to superintend the construction of a telegraph line between Pittsburg and Chicago on the Fort Wayne route.

[3][4] Eckert held this position as superintendent until 1859, when he moved to Montgomery County, North Carolina, to manage a gold mine.

[3][4] In 1861, Eckert returned to Ohio to bring his wife, Emma D. Whitney, and his children to North Carolina.

[2]: 129–130 After arriving in Cleveland, Eckert telegraphed Assistant Secretary of War Thomas A. Scott that his services were available.

[2]: 131  His service on the battlefield did not last long because in September 1862 he was sent to Washington, D.C., to organize and administer the War Department's military telegraph (a position he held until 1866) with the rank of major.

[3][4] Eckert resigned as Assistant Secretary of War and established himself as a major figure in the American telegraph industry.