He began his military career in Poland-Lithuania in the service of King Stanisław August Poniatowski, with the rank of adjutant-general.

Between 1808 and 1809 he was posted to the Baltic shore, and in 1810 he was named commander of a regiment of Siberian dragoons [ru].

He participated in the campaign of 1812, fighting at Ostrovno, Klyastitsy, Smolensk, Tarutino, Maloyaroslavets, and Vyazma.

He led numerous campaigns in the following two years, and in 1814 was appointed governor general of the Duchy of Schleswig.

[2] On 11 December 1824 he was made lieutenant general, and participated in the Russo-Turkish War, in the Principality of Moldavia and in Bulgaria.