In the early 1850s, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, was commissioned an officer in the United States Army, and served with the Mounted Rifles in Texas on the American southwestern frontier.
1850. aastate alguses lõpetas ta Ühendriikide Sõjaväeakadeemia West Pointis, arvati ohvitserina Ühendriikide armee koosseisu ja teenis ratsaväes Texases Ameerika edelapiiril.