In 1850, he took an active part in the construction of the Kurinsky fortification (in the detachment of Major General Kozlovsky), the camp and felling of wood on the Kachkalykovsky heights, for which he was promoted to captain.
The next year passed quietly, but already in 1853 he found himself on the left flank of the Caucasian line and in the detachment of Lieutenant General Prince Baryatinsky participated in an expedition to the Galashevskoe gorge and in battles with Shamil.
For the distinction rendered in these matters, he is promoted to lieutenant colonel and, by order of the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian army, is attached to the Jaeger General-Field Marshal of the Prince of Warsaw Count Paskevich of the Erivan regiment.
Being the commander of the 11th Infantry Corps, located on the southern part of the vast front, occupied by the Ruschuk detachment of the heir to the crown prince, he had to take on the blow of Suleiman Pasha, aimed at Elena and Tarnovo.
In January 1878, he commanded the left side detachment (12 battalions, 8 squadrons, 38 guns), which was to cross the Balkans at Tvarditsa, which was done without a fight, but with the greatest difficulties of movement along the icy mountain steeps.