He rose to captain on 18 October 1793, taking part in the sieges of Dunkirk and Maubeuge, and in several skirmishes in the region.
Bruneteau fought the 7000 men of the invasion force with 300 line infantrymen and 300 mobile National guards, the militia being dispersed over the island.
An enquiry deemed the capitulation of Île Bonaparte to be "most honourable", and he received the command of an infantry regiment.
In 1812, he took part in the French invasion of Russia, notably fighting at Smolensk and at the Battle of Berezina, where he was captured by the Russians.
After the Bourbon Restauration, on 6 September 1814, he was promoted to maréchal de camp, and he received the command of the fortress of Landau, a position which he held from 11 December 1814 to 30 March 1815.
During the Hundred Days, Bruneteau rallied to Napoleon, and was promoted to brigade general in the imperial decree of 10 June 1815.
Saint-Suzanne's role as governor of Île Bonaparte when the British took over in 1810 is part of The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian, where he is called Colonel Saint-Susanne p.304