In 1792 he was raised to the rank of general officer and fought at Valmy and Jemappes.

The following year he led his troops at Neerwinden, was promoted to general of division and appointed to lead the Army of the North.

Soon afterward, he was denounced by the Revolutionary authorities and sacked, but he was lucky to escape the guillotine.

A young Michel Ney served as his aide de camp.

His surname is one of the names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe, on Column 5.