Attached to the Imperial Guard in 1811, he re-formed and commanded the 2e régiment de chevau-légers lanciers de la Garde impériale (better known as the Red Lancers, they were also nicknamed the "écrevisses" or crayfish, after their red uniforms). He also led the brigade for the whole of the Russian campaign under the orders of the duc d'Istrie. He and the Lancers then bravely covered the Grande Armée's retreat. During the german campaign of 1813 at Bautzen he broke and routed the Russians and cut them to pieces. On 25 November 1813 he was promoted to général de division during the retreat back through Germany .