After his graduation in 1828, he remained at West Point as acting assistant instructor of artillery during the annual encampment, and was then stationed at the school of practice at Jefferson barracks until April 1829.

He was then ordered on topographical duty as assistant geologist to George William Featherstonhaugh, to examine the country from Green Bay to the Coteau des Prairies.

With the consent of the secretary of war he acted, in 1833, as professor of chemistry, geology, and mineralogy in Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut, and in 1834 that institution gave him the degree of A.M.

This work required seven years, and his final report was a quarto of 671 pages, with forty-six colored plates, a great undertaking for the early days of geological research.

During his professional life, between the years 1846 and 1850, he acted as geologist and mining engineer to various companies on Lake Superior, and a part of his labors is recorded in 33 analyses of ores.