Appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1818, he graduated July 1, 1822 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 4th United States Artillery. After brief service on Ordnance duty at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was assigned to the Topographical Engineers, and served in that duty from 1823 until 1832, when he resigned on January 31. On May 15, 1829 he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
He accepted the position as Chief Engineer of the Camden and Amboy Railroad in New Jersey, a post he held until his death. Commissioned and officer in the New Jersey State Militia, he served as Lieutenant Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of New Jersey. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General, and was brevetted Major General in the service in 1859.
When the Civil War began he offered himself for service in the field, but due to his advanced age, he was determined to be of better service within the state of New Jersey. New Jersey's Governor, Charles Olden, appointed him to a Board of Examination to determine whether officers were fit for duty.
Appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1818, he graduated July 1, 1822 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 4th United States Artillery. After brief service on Ordnance duty at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was assigned to the Topographical Engineers, and served in that duty from 1823 until 1832, when he resigned on January 31. On May 15, 1829 he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
He accepted the position as Chief Engineer of the Camden and Amboy Railroad in New Jersey, a post he held until his death. Commissioned and officer in the New Jersey State Militia, he served as Lieutenant Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of New Jersey. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General, and was brevetted Major General in the service in 1859.
When the Civil War began he offered himself for service in the field, but due to his advanced age, he was determined to be of better service within the state of New Jersey. New Jersey's Governor, Charles Olden, appointed him to a Board of Examination to determine whether officers were fit for duty.