After a stay in England, Kanzler entered the papal army in 1845, with the rank of captain; in 1848 he fought against the Austrians during the First War of Independence and, in 1859, he became regimental commander. The following year, following the audacity shown against the Piedmontese during the Second War of Independence, he was appointed general by the Cardinal Minister Francesco Saverio de Mérode; in 1865 he was appointed Prominent of the Arms and Supreme Commander of the Papal Forces and, until 1870, he provided for the reorganization of every component of the Army itself. A feverish job, in constant competition with the upheavals of Garibaldi's men throughout Italy.