The 9th Light served principally in the Army of the Ardennes and then the Army of the Sambre and Meuse through this first phase of conflict. Their baptism of fire came on 23 May 1793 at a skirmish with the Austrians near Philippeville in Belgium. It was present at the Battle of Neerwinden (18 March 1793), the Battle of Hondschoote (6 September 1793), the Battle of Wattignies (15–16 October 1793) and the Battle of Fleurus (26 June 1794). The 9th Light saw action in numerous actions serving with the celebrated advanced guard division of General François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers.