 In addition to campaigning for Whigs including William Henry Harrison, Washburn held elected and appointed offices, including Reporter of Decisions for the Vermont Supreme Court and member of the Vermont House of Representatives.In addition to pursuing a political career, Washburn was active in the Vermont Militia; he was commander of a regiment with the rank of colonel in the late 1830s and early 1840s, and organized a company in anticipation of the American Civil War, which he commanded as a captain.Washburn's company was federalized in 1861 as part of the 1st Vermont Infantry; he was commissioned as the regiment's lieutenant colonel and second-in-command.