He enlisted in the Confederate Army on September 26, 1861, at Camp Trenton. He served as Sergeant in Company H, 31st Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A.. He was with the unit on May 12, 1862, near Shelbyville, TN. He deserted and enlisted in the Union Army at Bethel, Tennessee, September 18, 1862, and served in Company E, 6th Tennessee Cavalry.