By some way or another, von Schoultz made his way to France and enlisted with the newly established French Foreign Legion. As France had just begun its takeover of Algeria in 1830, von Schoultz was sent across the Mediterranean and participated in the ongoing conquest. By his account, von Schoultz claimed to have had some terrible experiences there and found himself to be disgusted with what was occurring. By the springtime of 1832, however, and again by some way or another, von Schoultz managed to leave the ranks of the French Foreign Legion, and he made his way to Florence, where he happily reunited with his mother and sister.