 He was promoted to colonel on March 23, 1799, and on September 5, 1805, he was promoted to brigadier general and given command of the 7th Brigade of the Kentucky Militia.On December 24, 1806, he was made a major general, remaining with the 7th Brigade.Desha was elected without opposition to the first of six consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1807.