 On August 1, 1863, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 19th U.S. Infantry and was assigned to supervise recruitment at Fort Independence in Massachusetts.In October of that year, he assumed command of the defenses and fortifications of Boston Harbor, a post he held until March 1865.He was brevetted brigadier general on March 13, 1865 and became commander of the 19th Infantry in April 1865.