Born in Vienna, Bianchi studied at the Imperial Engineering Academy in Vienna. In 1788, serving in the Austro-Turkish War, the sub-lieutenant distinguished himself at the siege of Bubitza. During the French Revolutionary Wars he was appointed captain after the Siege of Valenciennes in 1793. In 1796 he was in Italy as staff officer under Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser's command. He captured French aide-de-camp Joachim Murat at Brescia. While commanding the six battalions of the Count of Lusignan's regiment at the Battle of Rivoli, he was taken prisoner, but released at the request of General József Alvinczi.