Born in 1846 in Meurthe-et-Moselle in Nancy, he entered into the École Polytechnique in 1865 and took part, in 1870, in the Franco-Prussian War. He was injured at Patay on 2 December 1870 and at Bécon on 26 April 1871. He distinguished himself during the campaign, and was awarded the rank of captain. In 1879, he entered into the General Staff for Artillery, and become professor of artillery at the Ecole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr as chef d'escadron in 1882. He was raised to Colonel and inspector for arms manufacturing in 1895. It was in this post that he attracted the attention of Général André in May 1900, when he was named his Chief of Staff and Brigadier General.