- Born in 1821 in the Edgefield District, South Carolina.
- West Point class of 1842
- Close friend of classmate Ulysses S. Grant
- Served with 8th Infantry in the Mexican-American War, where he was wounded in the Battle of Chapultepec
- Received two brevet promotions in the Mexican-American War
- Served on frontier duty in Texas, where he performed scouting missions and acted as paymaster for the 8th Infantry.