Degenfeld joined the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Baden Army in 1833 and was promoted to captain and company commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment by 1845. In 1848/49 he was involved in the campaign against revolutionary free troops. In 1849 he was temporarily retired, but then called back to the regiment's office. In 1850 he came to the 2nd Infantry Regiment when the Baden Army Corps was re-established, and in 1855 to the Leibgrenadier Regiment. In 1858 he was appointed major and in 1861 as a lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Fusilier Battalion. In 1863 he was in command of the Baden contingent in the Rastatt Fortress, but was relieved of this command in 1864 due to a change of garrison. In 1865 Degenfeld was promoted to colonel and was given command of the Leibgrenadier Regiment. During the Austro-Prussian War, Degenfeld took with his regiment as part of the Baden Division under the command of the Prince Wilhelm as part of the Campaign of the Main in the Battle of Hundheim on July 23, 1866, the Battle of Werbach on 24 July 1866 and the Battle of Gerchsheim. In 1868 he was promoted to major general and commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade.