Following the campaign in Crimea, he joined Algeria and took part, from May to July 1857, in the expedition of Marshal of the Empire Randon who would reduce Kabylie. His action at the head of the 2nd Foreign Regiment was decisive in the battle of Icheriden () which, on June 24, led to the success of the operation. On August 17, he assumed commandment of the subdivision of Sidi-Bel-Abbès and exercised accordingly important administrative and political functions, while conjointly assuming the role of regimental commander.