After the declaration of war in 1812, he made the decision to enlist in the Army. His father wanted him to gain an appointment to a unit that would see service in the northern frontier, then the scene of active operation. Failing in this, he joined a corps of volunteer cavalry under Captain John Irwin and was mustered into service at Fort Hawkins, GA in 1813. Serving as the Sergeant of his company, he saw action against the Creek nation and was engaged in the battles of Ottosee and Talassee in 1813. In his discharge papers, reference is made to his gallantry during hand-to-hand combat with Creek warriors.
Cantey returned to Camden in 1814 and in 1821 became Sheriff of the District. He was married to Camilla F. Richardson on March 26, 1822. By 1835, he had grown sufficiently wealthy to built a handsome home on Hobkirk's hill on the site where Hawe's Virginians had fought during the revolutionary battle. The location is now west of Broad Street, north of downtown.
His military career continued when he was elected Brigadier General of the 5th Brigade in 1834. In 1836 a call went out for the recruitment of one company, 76 mounted men, from Col John Chesnut's regiment for three months duty in the Seminole War. The regiment was paraded on February 8th, and General Cantey read the order for a draft, if sufficient members did not volunteer. John Chesnut's company saw combat at the Seminole Villages of Abram and Micanopy. They then moved to a location near Tampa Bay at Peay's Creek. The company returned to Camden in mid-May.
General Cantey was then appointed Adjutant and Inspector General of the state militia. He served in the Legislature from 1846 to 1848 and was quite active in local politics. He died August 20, 1860 at the age of 65. His tombstone in Quaker Cemetery is a memorial and reads:
Born Nov. 30, 1794. Died Aug. 20, 1860
And his wife Camilla Floride Richardson
Born July 30, 1798. Died Dec. 19, 1866
He was a Camden native but was buried in Alabama
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