Lewis spent several years serving the U.S. government, and he fought in the Union Army during the Civil War, enlisting in the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the spring of 1863.  Lewis “held the important position of sergeant-major of his regiment, being appointed to that rank immediately upon his enlistment.  He took part in the engagement on James Island, July 10, 1863, and the six weeks’ siege following the famous storming of that fort, under which his health broke down, making his discharge necessary.” (Gregory, James, Frederick Douglass the Orator, pg 202.)

After serving in the Civil War, Lewis Douglass held several political positions for the U.S. government. “For two years by appointment of President Grant, Mr. Douglass was a member of the council of the legislature of the District of Columbia, and for two years he was a special agent of the post office department.  During the administration of President Hayes, he held the office of assistant marshal of the District of Columbia for the United States.” (Gregory, James, Frederick Douglass the Orator, pg 203.)  In 1869, Lewis Douglass married Amelia Loguen, the daughter of Rev. Jermain Wesley Loguen, Bishop of the AME Zion church, and the Syracuse, NY Stationmaster on the Underground Railroad.