Before being promoted to major general in 1863, von Kirchbach served as the chief of staff of the 3rd Army corps in Berlin.

At the start of the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 von Kirchbach was promoted to lieutenant general and named the commander of the 10th Infantry division.

His division was not engaged at Königgrätz When the Franco-Prussian War erupted in 1870 von Kirchbach was promoted to General der Infanterie and appointed commander of the Prussian V Corps.

Von Kirchbach was able to repel all French attempts to break through his positions at Mont Valerien, for which he was awarded the oak leaves to his Pour le Mérite.

Von Kirchbach married Anna Karoline Davide Schwartz (1826–1905) at Magdeburg on 11 March 1844.