He then enlisted in the Prussian Army on January 13, 1834, as a Fusilier in the 18th Infantry Regiment; and was promoted to second lieutenant in mid-September of the next year.

After the end of the war, on September 20, 1866, Kummer received the prestigious Pour le Mérite for his achievements.

Meanwhile the Landwehr and infantry units were tasked with escorting the numerous prisoners of war and the division was broken up.

Then Kummer took over command of the 15th Division, part of the VIII Corps and the First Army in northern France.

[3][4] After peace was made with the Treaty of Frankfurt Kummer went to Cologne, where he also served as governor from October 1873 to January 1875.

On January 9, 1877, Kummer was retired while simultaneously being awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle with Oak Leaves and Swords.