From Ada, he enlisted for 3 years at Grand Rapids on September 23, 1861 at age 20. He re-enlisted at Chattanooga, TN, on January 3, 1864. He rose to the rank of sergeant, participating in the battles of Mill Springs, KY, Siege of Corinth, MS, Perryville, KY, Brown's Ferry, TN, Mission Ridge, TN, and Goldsboro, NC, before his muster out on September 22, 1865.