 He served as a sergeant in the Army during the War of 1812, and as a lieutenant of artillery under Andrew Jackson during the Creek War, getting wounded at the Battle of Enitachopco Creek in 1814, and served as a member of Jackson's staff at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.In 1829, he was named the postmaster of Nashville, Tennessee, and remained in that position through 1835.He was commissioned a brigadier general during the Second Seminole War during 1836 and 1837, and was engaged in the Battle of Wahoo Swamp.