He enlisted as a private in Co. E, Adams' Arkansas Regiment (3rd Regiment, Northwest Division, sometimes referred to as the 3rd Arkansas Infantry), at Carrollton, Arkansas, on August 9, 1862; age 20. He was mustered into Confederte service with his regiment at Elm Springs, Arkansas, on September 12, 1862, for three years or the war. He was captured at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, on December 7, 1862; and paroled at Springfield, Missouri, on January 14, 1863.
He next enlisted as a private in Co. G, 2nd Arkansas Cavalry, U.S. Volunteers, at Springfield, Missouri, on September 1, 1863; age 21; and was mustered into service at Springfield on October 9, 1863, for three years. He was transferred to Co. M, same regiment, on March 4, 1864. He was subsequently promoted to corporal, then sergeant, and was mustered out of service at Memphis, Tennessee, on August 20, 1865. James Stanphill also served in this regiment.