He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 1st U.S. Artillery, July 1, 1854 and advanced through the grades to Colonel, 4th U.S. Artillery, April 25, 1888. He was retired through the operation of law, June 6, 1896 and advanced to Brigadier General on the retired list by Act of April 23, 1904.

He was breveted Major, July 8, 1863, for services at the capture of Port Hudson, Louisiana; to Lieutenant Colonel, August 23, 1864, for services at the capture of Fort Morgan, Alabama.

Prior to the Civil War, he served on the frontier against hostile Indians in Texas and Florida until 1861; he was in the defense of Fort Pickens, 1861-62; Chief of Artillery, District of Pensacola, May-Dec 1862; Commanding, Baton Rogue, Louisiana, to March 1863; on the Teche campaign, Commanding Artillery of General Grover's Division, 19th Army Corps, March-August 1863; Chief of Artillery, 19th Army Corps, October 1863-July 1864; Chief of Artillery, Mobile Expedition, engaged in sieges of Forts Gaines and Morgan; Chief of Artillery and Ordnance, Cavalry Corps, Middle Military District, November-December 1864.

Following the war, he remained in the Army and made his home in Washington, D.C.., where he died July 16, 1917.   He was buried with full military honors in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Julia Woodbridge Terry Closson, his second wife (1839-1913) is buried with him.

CLOSSON, JULIA W/O H W
DATE OF DEATH: 04/02/1913
BURIED AT: SECTION S DIV  SITE LOT 1916
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  
CLOSSON, OLIVIA T D/O HENRY W
DATE OF DEATH: 10/14/1943
BURIED AT: SECTION 3  SITE 1916
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY