After joining the Army at the age of twelve in 1854, Meyers served in the color guard for the 2nd Infantry Regiment, and then became the youngest sergeant in his company at age twenty-one. He was detailed as brigade commissary sergeant. Later in the war, during the battle for Petersburg, Meyers was appointed acting ordnance sergeant. Ten Years in the Ranks, U.S. Army was originally published by Stirling Press in 1914 and that edition was reprinted by Arno Press in 1979. Augustus traveled widely and circled the world several times. He had six children and died in NYC in 1919.