Perrégaux took part in the Expedition of the Col des Beni Aïcha, and was present at the Siege of Constantine on 12 October 1837 when General Charles-Marie Denys de Damrémont was killed by a cannonball. While attempting to reach Damrémont and recover his body, Perrégaux was struck by a bullet which passed through his nose and into the palate of his mouth. He was knocked unconscious and wounded on Damrémont's body.