Career in France Charles Chalmot served as a lieutenant in the prestigious Garde du Corps, the king's household cavalry. He was recorded as holding the rank of captain of cavalry in 1670, mestre de camp in 1672, and brigadier in 1677. In 1686, he replaced Boufflers as commander in Guyenne. A Catholic unlike many of his family, he is supposed to have taken part in Louis XIV's dragonnades, in which dragoons were quartered on Protestant households to try and force their conversion. By 1688, he had been promoted to lieutenant-general. In 1690, Chalmot was with the army besieging the town of Annecy and played a part in the victory at the Battle of Staffarda, among other engagements. His association with the Irish conflict began while still in France, when he received the command of a brigade of Irish troops under Mountcashel, originally sent to France in 1689 in exchange for French personnel. Campaign in Ireland In response to requests from James II and his viceroy Tyrconnell, Louis sent Saint-Ruhe to replace James's illegitimate son Berwick as commander of the Irish Army. The decision was made in January although the Irish were not informed until April. Saint-Ruhe had secret instructions to assess the situation and help Louis make a decision on whether to send further military aid. With a temporary general's commission and accompanied by lieutenant-generals de Tessé and d'Usson, Saint-Ruhe arrived at Limerick on 9 May 1691, bringing sufficient arms, corn and meal to sustain the army until the autumn. William's forces in Ireland were by this stage led by his subordinate, Dutch officer Godert de Ginkel. Ginkel was aware of the poor military situation facing William in the Netherlands; seeking a quick end to the war he had obtained William's permission to offer the Jacobites moderate terms of surrender. However, by late spring 1691, Ginkel was concerned that a French convoy could land further reinforcements at Galway or Limerick, and began planning to enter the field as quickly as possible. During May, both sides began assembling their forces for a summer campaign, the Jacobites at Limerick and the Williamites at Mullingar. On 16 June, Ginkel's cavalry reconnoitred from Ballymore towards the Jacobite garrison at Athlone. Saint-Ruhe had been unsure where Ginkel would attempt to cross the Shannon, but by 19 June he realised Athlone was the target and began concentrating his troops west of the town. Ginkel breached the