 He began as a paymasters clerk on the gunboat "Lexington", and was soon promoted to Master's Mate and then Ensign.During the war he saw action in the battles of Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg and Red River.He was honorably discharged at New York in October 1865 and joined his brother, Alexander Megler, in Astoria, Oregon late that year.