[2] At the outbreak of the French Revolution he joined the 1st Battalion of Volunteers of the Côte-d'Or, and passing rapidly through all the junior grades, was made général de brigade after the combat of Rheinzabern (1793).

In 1794 Delaborde served in the War of the Pyrenees against Spain, distinguishing himself at the Baztan Valley on 25 July and at Orbaizeta on 16 October.

In the 1800 campaign in southern Germany, Delaborde led a small division in Sainte-Suzanne's corps,[3] which was part of Moreau's army.

Against Sir Arthur Wellesley's English army he fought a skillful and brilliant rear-guard action at the Battle of Roliça.

In 1812 Delaborde was one of Marshal Édouard Mortier's divisional commanders in the Russian campaign, leading the Young Guard.