A colonel in the French army, he defected to the Coalition forces in 1793. After fighting in one of the émigré armies, he became an Austrian officer in 1798. After commanding a cavalry regiment for several years, he was elevated in rank to general officer. He led a division in 1805, even though by rank he was a brigadier. From the start of the 1809 war, he was entrusted with small independent scouting forces and rear guards. He was promoted again to lead a corps-sized force shortly before he was killed at the Battle of Wagram.