He was appointed as colonel of the 15th Massachusetts Infantry in July 1861.

George Washington appointed influential Shenandoah Valley political leader Charles Mynn Thruston as colonel in command.

He was subsequently appointed as colonel of the 65th Ohio Infantry, a regiment in the forces of Brig. Gen. Don Carlos Buell.

He returned a year later, to be appointed as colonel to a regiment which he succeeded to turn into an exemplary regiment.

In September 1861, he was appointed as colonel of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry, a regiment he helped recruit.

In December 1861, he was appointed as colonel of the 8th Ohio Infantry, a three-years' regiment that exclusively saw duty in the Eastern Theater.

He was appointed as colonel in the Schutterij, the Dutch volunteer city guard.

On October 12, 1861 he was appointed as colonel, with authority to raise a regiment in Washington Territory and California.

In September, he was appointed as colonel of the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, and participated in the Battle of Port Royal.

In July 1863, he was appointed as colonel of the 86th Regiment of the National Guard.