[4][5] The fifteen-year-old François Kellermann entered the French Army as a cadet volunteer[3] with a hussar regiment: the Régiment de Loweridath.

[3] While a number of Napoleon's marshals served in the Royal army prior to the Revolution, Kellermann was the only one to have reached such senior rank under the former regime.

[3] Napoleon later commented that: "I think I'm the boldest general that ever lived, but I daren't take post on that ridge with windmill at Valmy (where Kellermann took position) in 1793".

After the fall of Robespierre, he was acquitted and reinstated in his command, and did good service in maintaining the south-eastern border against the Austrians until his army was merged into that of General Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy.

[8][9] He also took control of the line of communications and the command of reserve troops, and his long and wide experience made him one of Napoleon's most valuable assistants.

[10] His son François Étienne de Kellermann, 2nd Duke of Valmy,[8] also fought for Napoleon and was promoted to cavalry general after the Battle of Marengo.