Shortly after his graduation, he enlisted as a private in the
24th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was soon promoted to the rank of corporal. His regiment participated in the Battle of
New Bern, and was stationed near that community for nine months. During this time, he received news of his brother's death at
Antietam. He was then commissioned as second lieutenant of the
55th Massachusetts Volunteers on October 15, 1863, and subsequently commissioned as a captain with the
59th Massachusetts Volunteers. While commanding the 55th Massachusetts during the
Battle of the Wilderness, he was wounded in the left arm and hand, and ultimately lost the little finger on that hand. ==Seminary education and work==