[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.

Delaborde was in constant military employment during the Consulate and the early Empire and was made commander of the Legion of Honour in 1804.

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