During the reign of Ferdinand VII he was employed in ordinary services until 1830, when he graduated as lieutenant colonel of the garrison in the province of Segovia, moving that year to the Royal Guard, 1st Grenadiers.

He attended the battles of Heredia, Huesa, Alsasua, Muez, Olazagoitia, Artazu, Larrión, Viana, Echarri-Aranaz, Arrieta, Alegría, Doña María, Peñas de San Fausto, Ormáiztegui, Orviso, Los Arcos, Zelandieta, Arróniz, Torre Galindo, Amézcoa, Descarga, Treviño, Villafranca, Tolosa, Vergara and Ochandiano, rising to colonel for war merits and winning the laurel of San Fernando for the wound he received defending the bridge of Larraga, where he was given up for dead.

[2] After recovering, he was put in charge of the General Staff of the 3rd Northern Division, commanded by the Count of Eguía, distinguishing himself in the siege and capture of the towns of Guetaria and Lequeitio, in the battles of Arlabán and in the action of Berrón.

[2] Vargas remained in France for ten years as an emigrant, until in 1849 he took advantage of the broad amnesty granted by Isabel II to all Carlist leaders.

In 1850, he married Enriqueta Van Halen Lasquetty for the second time, after his first wife María de la Candelaria Flores had died.

He participated in the actions of Sabaneta, Santiago de los Caballeros, Montecristi, Cibao, Puerto Plata and Altamira, obtaining in 1862 the sash of field marshal and the Grand Cross of Charles III.

He tried to prevent the September revolution, and after the battle of Alcolea he even tried to restore Isabel II to her throne, but seeing this impossible he accompanied her to the border, emigrating with her to France.

There, after the abdication of Isabel II, Vargas offered his sword to Charles of Bourbon and Austria-Este, who had raised the flag of traditional monarchism.