Substitue for draftee Francis M. Taylor, enlisting and mustering on 20 August 1863 at Perrysburg, Cattaragus County, New York. He was a Private in the Union Army serving in Company G, 76th New York Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. He was wounded in action during the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia on 3 June 1864. He died of wound complications in the Stanton General Hospital at Washington, D. C.

"Case 1056. — Private John Anderson, Co. G, 76th New York, aged 30 years, was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. He was at once conveyed to the depot field hospital of the Fifth Army Corps, and on June 12th was transferred to Stanton Hospital. "Washington. Surgeon John A. Lidell, U. S. V., reported: "'Was admitted for a gunshot wound of the left thigh in the upper third, inflicted by a conical musket ball, which penetrated the front of the limb at the inner side of the femoral vessels, and, passing backward and outward through the limb, lodged beneath the skin. It was extracted by an incision from behind. When he came to the hospital, six days after the injury, it was thought that the wound was only a flesh one. His general condition was fair, or rather below par at that time. Simple dressings to wound were ordered. and nutrients and stimulants were allowed. Subsequently the wound did well, and he appeared in a fairway to recover for a time. July 1st, it was observed that he was failing in strength and emaciating. Stimulants and the supporting treatment were continued with tinct. ferri muriat. Afterwards he sank into a typhoid condition, the skin becoming warmer than natural, but without sweats, the pulse frequent and feeble, the tongue dry and red, with almost entire loss of appetite. He also became somnolent, and toward the last it was difficult to rouse him. He did not have any chills, he died July 18th." -- The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. Part III, Volume II. (3rd Surgical volume) by U. S. Army Surgeon General's Office, 1883.