 He attended the military school in Ventimiglia and served as a lieutenant during the campaigns of 1792-1793 and was Dumouriez's aide-de-camp, following him during his flight to Austria.He then served Austria before returning to France where he was reincorporated in the regiment of the reigning prince of Isenburg and became his aide-de-camp.He then served in the Napoleonic armies and participated to the last campaigns as assistant captain of the General Staff.