* 1837: Graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
* 1838: Served in the Seminole Wars in Florida.
* 1841: Served in the Mexican-American War.
* 1847: Promoted to captain.
* 1855: Promoted to major.
* 1861: Resigned from the U.S. Army and joined the Confederate States Army.
Other Careers
* 1856-1861: Served as Virginia State Senator.
* 1861-1865: Served as a general in the Confederate States Army.
* 1865-1872: Worked as a lawyer in Lynchburg, Virginia.
* 1872-1874: Served as governor of Virginia.
* 1874-1876: Served as a U.S. Senator from Virginia.