Called in 1812 to the Grande Armée, he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Count of Narbonne. He participated in the campaign of Russia, showed bravery there at the battle of Borodino, and was part of the vanguard that entered Moscow, as squadron commander of the 11th regiment of Horse Chasseurs. He was made Colonel in 1813 at the battle of Dresden and fought at the battles of Leipzig and Hanau. He showed real courage during the 1814 campaign and at the battle of Ligny. Very weak, he could not take part in the battle of Waterloo. After a final battle in Patte-d'Oie to protect the retreat of the French army, he retired with the remains of the army behind the Loire.