On 15 July 1848, he was appointed colonel of the 19th Light Infantry regiment. After various assignments in the North of France, he was appointed brigadier general after the coup d'état of 1851 . Assigned to Varna during the Crimean War (1853), he took part in the Battle of Alma, he even distinguished himself at the Battle of Inkerman. Promoted to Division General in June 1855. He received the command of the 2th Division of the Army of the East , was twice wounded in a general assault that ends the Battle of the Chernaya.